Historic Train Crosses Korean Border

Freight service aims to narrow economic gap between countries
By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 11, 2007 3:25 AM CST
Historic Train Crosses Korean Border
The first South Korean cargo train runs past the southern limit line of the demilitarized zone separating two Koreas near Dorasan station in Paju, north of Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007. The first cargo train providing regular service across the border between the two Koreas in more than...   (Associated Press)

The historic first of what will be a regular schedule of freight trains crossed the border from South Korea to North Korea today, marking a major leap forward in the countries' reunification process and a step toward what could be a hugely profitable railway system. The link is part of a plan to narrow the gap between the economies of the prosperous South and impoverished North.

South Korea's economy is 35 times bigger than its neighbor's, and its citizens earn 17 times as much. The South is hoping to eventually gain rail access to the rest of Asia and Europe by connecting the Korean system with the Trans-Siberian and Trans-China railways, which would significantly cut shipping times and costs. Last year, inter-Korean trade earned $1.35 billion. (More North Korea stories.)

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