By Lee Kyoung Mi and Kim Young Shin
Photos = Ministry of Unification

South and North Korea conducted joint inspections of Northern sections of the Gyeongui railway line that connects Seoul and Sinuiju, North Korea’s border city with China, on July 24 and confirmed that it is in fine condition.

According to the Ministry of Unification, a group of inspectors from Seoul and Pyeongyang checked the tracks and other facilities at the Sacheon River bridge and at Panmun, Sonha and Kaesong stations. They confirmed that the tracks and the roadbed were in operational condition.

Following the inspection, the train experts held a meeting to discuss the future schedule and method of additional inspections.

There were 16 rail authorities from the South on the team, and seven from the North.



On July 20, the group jointly inspected part of the Donghae Line along the East Coast, also in North Korea. They checked the facilities at Gamho, Samilpo and Kumgangsan Chongnyon stations and affirmed that they are all in good condition.

Previously, on April 27, leaders of the two Koreas agreed to connect and modernize the Donghae and Gyeongui railway lines. On June 26, Seoul and Pyeongyang held high-level talks and decided to conduct joint inspections of North Korean track before connecting the train lines.

km137426@korea.kr