Seoul to propose cross-peninsula rail lines to Pyongyang

The South Korean government plans to propose to North Korea a trial run of rail lines starting from the South`s southern cities of Busan and Mokpo and connecting to North Korean cities and further to the Trans-China Railway (TCR) and the Trans-Siberian Railway (TSR) to mark the 70th anniversary of the division of the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea`s Unification Ministry reported the plan to President Park Geun-hye on Monday during a New Year`s joint policy report by the unification, foreign affairs and defense ministries. The report session was held under a theme of preparation for reunification.

Under the plan, Seoul will push for a trial run of a rail line connecting the South`s Busan and Seoul to the North Korean cities of Pyongyang and Sinuiju and to the TCR. Another line would start from the South`s Mokpo and connect to Seoul, Rajin (North Korea) and the TSR. Both the TCR and TSR connect to Europe.

Once North Korea accepts the proposal, the South plans to hold inter-Korean cultural events in Seoul and Pyongyang and select people from various walks of life symbolizing the 70 years of national division who would board the train. The Unification Ministry aims to conduct the test run around the August 15 National Liberation Day.

The ministry also said it would seek to set up an organization in Seoul and Pyongyang that would support inter-Korean exchanges. Such a plan is aimed at circumventing the May 24, 2010 sanctions on the North that put a halt to all inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation projects.

Seoul views that pending issues with the North -- the lifting of the sanctions and the resumption of tours to the North`s Mount Kumgang resort -- can be addressed only through inter-Korean talks. However, experts say that the plan will not be feasible if the North continues to not respond to Seoul`s offer of talks.

At the meeting, President Park said that the two Koreas should start practical dialogue to prepare for reunification "as soon as possible" in order to enhance the quality of inter-Korean exchanges and start carrying out even small cooperation projects. She also called on the government to start negotiations with the North by gathering a public consensus and make efforts to make conditions to which Pyongyang would respond.