Inter-Korean talks on highway connection, modernization to be held at Panmunjom

2018-06-28 1

Shifting focus to inter-Korean relations…
Today,… the two sides are sitting down for yet another round of talks on connecting and modernizing roads between Seoul and Pyongyang.
For more, we connect to our Oh Jung-hee who is on the line for us.
Jung-hee tell us more.

Semin, we're expecting the talks to have just started.
Today's meeting was scheduled to begin a few minutes ago at 10AM Korea time,... at the Tongil-gak building, located on the North Korean side of the border village of Panmunjom.
South Korea has sent a three-member delegation led by Vice Minister for Transport, Kim Jeong-ryeol .
And North Korea also has a three-member delegation, led by its vice minister for environmental protection, Pak Ho-yong .
The South Korean delegation left for the talks early this morning,... have a listen at what they had to say:

"We'll sincerely take part in today's talks for connecting and modernizing roads. I believe there will be discussions on linking South Korea's Munsan with North Korea's Kaesong -- something we originally agreed upon ten years ago."

The two Koreas worked on building a highway between Munsan and Kaesong in 2015, but it came to a halt after North Korea's fourth nuclear test in early 2016.
If Munsan and Kaesong are linked,... then the capitals, Seoul and Pyongyang, will be connected by highway.

But, just like Tuesday's talks on railways, it's difficult to expect any specific plans, because bringing South Korea's resources and equipment into North Korea for these projects could violate international sanctions.
So it's expected that the two sides will first agree on forming a joint investigation team and checking the status of roads in North Korea.
Semin.