Regular Cargo Service to Speed Up Economic Cooperation

Inter-Korean economic cooperation is expected to gain momentum with the South and the North resuming regular cargo train services. The resumption started Tuesday, 56 years after cross-border railways were cut in 1951 during the Korean War. We welcome the restart of the daily rail operation between the two Koreas as it will contribute to national reconciliation, peace and prosperity.

The railway link has symbolic meaning as it is a first step toward removing the Iron Curtain dividing the nation. A deserted locomotive in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) has long been the symbol of national division and the Cold War. During over a half century, both South and North Koreans have cherished a dream of seeing the iron horse run again. Fortunately, the dream has come true.

The train service is also significant as it serves the practical purpose of expanding economic exchange and easing tension between the two Koreas. It heralds the age of a South-North economic community that will bring co-prosperity to the divided nation. It also marks a turning point in inter-Korean relations that have long been characterized by antagonism, intransigence and distrust.

Cargo trains will run daily on weekdays between the South's Munsan Station and the North's Panmun Station, just north of the heavily-fortified DMZ. The cargo service is designed to help South Korean businesses carry raw materials, parts and manufactured goods to and from their factories in the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, an inter-Korean industrial park in the North Korean city. Over two dozen businesses from the South are operating there, producing about $19 million worth of products each month.

The rail link is the first in a series of inter-Korean projects to be implemented since President Roh Moo-hyun and his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-il agreed to step up economic cooperation during their Oct. 2-4 summit. Then the two leaders pledged to resume the cargo train operation between Munsan Station and Bongdong Station, near the Gaeseong complex.

However, the plan changed due to a lack of preparation on the northern side and the North's station just above the DMZ was designated as the stopping point. Thus, the two sides will have to make joint efforts to extend the line up to Gaeseong as soon as possible to promote economic and industrial collaboration. It goes without saying that the train service will help South Korean firms save transportation costs and time.

It's time for Seoul and Pyongyang to double their efforts to completely restore the severed railways to carry passengers as well as cargo. South Korea has pushed for a long-term project to turn the country into the Northeast Asian center of transportation and business. Only after full restoration can the nation realize its aim of linking the inter-Korean railroads to the Trans-China and Trans-Siberian railways. For this, the two Koreas will have to move toward reconciliation and peace.