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Woden
Joined: 08 Mar 2007
Location: Eurasia
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 Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:43 pm Post subject: Train from Seoul to Beijing |
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I read recently that there are plans to open a rail link between Seoul and Beijing going through DPRK to open in time for the 2008 Olympics...
...has anyone else heard this and whether it looks likely to happen??
Cheers. |
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chris_J2
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
Location: From Brisbane, Au.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:37 am Post subject: |
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| I'd say it's unlikely. The inaugural train from Pyongyang to Seoul was supposed to occur in May 2006, but North Korea backed out minutes to midnight, stating that security by ROK could not be guaranteed. With the current fracas on the Macau Bank freeze lift in exchange for no nukes, (which North Korea again reneged on), I'd also say book a flight or trans West Sea ferry instead. |
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Woden
Joined: 08 Mar 2007
Location: Eurasia
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| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:48 am Post subject: |
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| Cheers for that. I should have realised it would be connected with real politik rather than merely transport provision. With the current state of negotiations sounds like I will be waiting on the platform for a long time... |
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joeyjoejoe
Joined: 24 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/10/AR2007051001024.html
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Two Koreas' generals put rail run on track: Yonhap
By Jon Herskovitz
Reuters
Thursday, May 10, 2007; 12:32 PM
SEOUL (Reuters) - North and South Korean generals on Thursday agreed on the first train crossings over their heavily armed border in more than 50 years, a move long sought by Seoul as a symbol of reconciliation.
South Korea's Yonhap News cited a government source saying generals from the two Koreas agreed to provide military security measures on the day of a test train run and would exchange statements of agreement early on Friday.
North Korea's powerful military, fearful of increased contacts between the isolated state and the outside world, blocked a planned run last year.
The two Koreas are now planning a test run on May 17. One train carrying about 100 people would make the crossing from the North on the east coast and a similar one would cross from the South along the west coast, South Korean officials said.
The last train to run between North and South Korea was during the 1950-1953 Korean War, carrying wounded soldiers and refugees. The two are technically still at war because their fratricidal conflict ended with a truce and not a peace treaty.
Despite the agreement with the North, Pyongyang said tensions with its neighbor were still high because of a disputed maritime border off the west coast.
"The situation in the West Sea of Korea (Yellow Sea) is so unpredictable and serious that the third West Sea skirmish can occur there anytime due to the arrogant moves of the South Korean warlike forces," the North's KCNA news agency quoted a naval command spokesman as saying.
The discussions were extended beyond their planned end on Thursday because North Korea wanted to talk about a maritime border and fishing grounds, Yonhap said.
"We're coordinating to continue discussions in line with progress in North-South military ties," the unnamed government source was quoted as saying.
South Korea has built two sets of tracks from its side into the North -- one about 60 km (40 miles) northwest of Seoul.
It has also constructed elaborate but now cavernous and idle stations near the border in anticipation of rail travel between the two.
Tracks run from the South and into the North with compatible gauges, but the North's trains operate on an archaic system mostly built during Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule that needs a complete overhaul in order to work with the South's modern and automated system, experts said.
South Korea has promised the North about $80 million in aid to its industries if it allows test runs at the two crossings.
The current plan calls for two passenger trains to travel about 25 km (16 miles) and finish their run at stations a few km on the other side of the border.
Seoul has been pressing to make the crossings more than a one-off event. It eventually wants to be able to send trains carrying cargo and passengers to China, Russia and other parts of Europe and Asia.
(Additional reporting by Jessica Kim and Rhee So-eui) |
ps. west sea? come on. |
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whatthefunk
Joined: 21 Apr 2003
Location: Dont have a clue
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| Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 1:44 am Post subject: |
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| it looks like they will open it, but i think it will be for trade rather than passengers. good luck getting a transit visa for north korea... |
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