Cross-border Railway to be Linked by Year-end

South and North Korea agreed to complete the construction of the Gyeongui Line linking Seoul to Shineuiju by the end of this year and a temporary road along the East Coast by the end of November. Both sides also greed to hold ground-breaking ceremonies for the constructions of the Gyeongui Line and the Donghae (East Coast) Line and roads along the lines on Sep. 18.

South and North Korea also agreed to hold military-to-military talks before Sep. 18 to come up with measures to ensure that the construction work will be safely conducted.

When the temporary road along the East Coast is connected, Tourists will be able to have overland access to Mt. Geumgang within the year. When the Gyeongui Line is relinked, economic cooperation and exchanges between two Korea will be further promoted. South and North Korea hold a plenary session for the 2nd meeting of the inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committees yesterday at the Grand Hilton Hotel, downtown Seoul. Wrapping up the two-day economic talks, both sides released the 8-point accord.

In accordance with the agreements, South Korea decided to provide North Korea with 400,000 tons of rice at 127.2 billion won at 1% interest and 100,000 tons of fertilizer worth 20 billion won without cost. The rice will be delivered by sea with the label reading `Republic of Korea` on the packages. The first shipment will begin within 3 weeks. Also South Korea will provide materials and equipment needed for railway and road construction in the North Korea side.

The two Koreas also agreed to begin construction of an industrial park in Gaesung, North Korea withing this year. North Korea said that it wouldl pass legislation related to the industrial zone. The two sides agreed to hold a preliminary working-level meeting in Gaesung in October to discuss how to build the complex.

The two koreas will conduct a survey of the Inmjin River in November in a step toward establishing a joint flood control system along the river.

South Korea promised to provide young plants needed for the afforestation project of North Korea. A working-level meeting for the joint inspection of the Geumgangsan Dam will be held in Mt. Geumgang from Sep 16 to Sep 18.

In addition, the two sides have pledged to implement four previous economic accords on mutual investment guarantees and double-tax avoidance.

They also agreed to hold the third economic talks in Pyongyang, for four days starting Nov. 6.

Kwang-Am Cheon Young-Sik Kim iam@donga.com spear@donga.com