Putin Hails Start of Trans-Korean Rail Link

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, September 19, 2002

Putin Hails Start of Trans-Korean Rail Link

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday hailed the start of work to link the railways of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday hailed the start of work to link the railways of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

In a congratulatory message to the leaders of the DPRK and the ROK, Putin said this symbolic step would boost the process of inter-Korean reunification and reinforce security on the peninsulaand in the Asia-Pacific region.

Russia is prepared to forge trilateral cooperation with the DPRK and the ROK to re-establish the freight flow via the Trans-Korean and Trans-Siberian railways to Europe, reads the message, released by the Kremlin press service.

In the future, the railway route will link the ROK, the DPRK and Europe via Russia.

The Russian initiated project for the transportation corridor was discussed at bilateral talks beginning in 1999. The inter-Korean summit of 2000 paved the way for implementing the project.

Cargo could be shipped at a lower cost from the Korean Peninsula to Russia and China, and further to Europe, than by sea,the Kremlin press service reported.

The project was discussed during Putin's visits to the DPRK in July 2000 and the ROK in February 2001. The discussion was continued during DPRK leader Kim Jong Il's visit to Moscow in August 2001 and Russia's Far East in August 2002.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Putin Proposes EU Allow Russians Visa-Free Travel

Putin Extends Condolences to Bush on Anniversary of Sept. 11Attacks

China Since 1990: Facts and Figures Tell of Rising Prosperity ( 19 Messages)

Dozens Could Have Died in Food Poisoning in Nanjing ( 13 Messages)

China Hopes to See Iraqi Issue Resolved Within UN Framework ( 29 Messages)

Survey Discloses Bad Service of Domestic Banks ( 64 Messages)

Scholar Slates Chen Shui-bian Pro-"independence" Speeches ( 10 Messages)