It has been a little over a decade since a train from South Korea has entered North Korea. On Friday, that long wait was over. A train carrying South Korean engineers had crossed the border into North Korea, in an attempt to restore the railways to link the two countries together. This was promised in an agreement that was made earlier this year, by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. The two leaders met several months back, joining hands and crossing the border into each other’s countries, to publicize ‘peace’ between the two.
The purpose behind linking the country’s railway systems again, is to hopefully boost the country’s “economic territory.” South Korea has been cut off from the rest of the Asian continent since the divide, causing trade to be strictly transported by sea. Geopolitically this has been a struggle because South Korea is surrounded by seas, along with China to the west, as well as the constant fear of North Korea to the north. The agreement to begin restoration of the railways will not begin until there is consent from the UN. There is a possibility that this deal could be rejected or pushed back due to North Korea’s nuclear missile program.
North Korea’s nuclear missile program has been looming over South Korea ever since they began building these destructive weapons. With South Korea attempting to work with North Korea on the railways, goes to show the potential North Korea may have in becoming more easy-going with their foreign policy. It’s very hard to tell what North Korea’s intentions are with their foreign policy, because they are so secretive. As for now, there is hope that they could potentially be persuaded more, as South Korea begins to transit through their country. South Korea’s President Moon has faith that this agreement could lead to more discussion with Kim Jong Un, and the possible denuclearisation of the country.