South-North Soon to Propose the Marine Transportation Agreement

The government will establish a South-North joint ship company during the second half of the year and will proceed with the `South-North marine transportation agreement` based on the framework of opening of three sea routes (Busan - Nampo, Busan - Wonsan, Inchon - Shinyeuju). It is anticipated that the sea route exchange between South and North will be activated followed by the land route according to the South-North land route travel. Currently, there are two sea routes for the cargo ships between South and North (Inchon - Nampo, Busan - Najin) operating once every ten days.

A high-ranking government official said yesterday that ``as we have judged that the opening of the sea routes (Busan - Nampo, Busan - Wonsan, Inchon - Shinyeuju) for the cargo ships is necessary to activate the South-North economic exchange, we will make an official proposal to North Korea.`` This official said that ``both South-North principally recognize the need to transport efficiently the quantity of goods produced by South-North by establishing a joint ship company.`` He also added that ``the government planned to discuss this proposal with North Korea at the South-North ministers’ talk which was scheduled to be held in last February. Although the opportunity has been delayed since the talk itself was postponed, the government plans to propose in a short time following the proper procedures. Another government official said that ``the expansion of the sea routes is necessary in due consideration of the expansion of the South-North exchange. North Korea is also positive to the expansion of the South-North sea route opening.``

daviskim@donga.com