KOREA: Trains make historic journeys after 56 year absence
Updated
Now to the two trains that made historic journeys today across the last divided frontier of the cold war. More than fifty years after North and South Korea were divided by the demilitarised zone, two trains - one from the North, one from the South - conducted a test run along recently re-built railway lines. South Korea is heralding the crossings as another step towards reunifying the divided country.
Presenter: Shane McLeod
Speakers: Professor Lee Jung-hoon from Seoul's Yonsei University; Peter Beck from the International Crisis Group in Seoul
MCLEOD: When it comes to big shows of unity South Korea doesn't disappoint.
As the Korean Rail train prepared for its trip across the demilitarised zone, there were brass bands, red carpet to the tracks, and hundreds of balloons released into the air to mark the special occasion.
"We have overcome the pain of a 56 year division, says South Korea's unification minister Lee Jae Jung. "It's a historic day that gives hope to all Koreans."
And then just after lunchtime, the train headed on its historic journey.
(train whistle)
South Korean television networks had covered everything up to that point live, but security laws meant that the rest of the train's journey couldn't be shown.
At about the same time, on the eastern side of the peninsula, a North Korean train was being admitted into the south -- and given a suitably warm welcome.
This train was emblazoned with a banner that said the train had once carried great president Kim il Sung.
The railway lines were rebuilt in 2002 and 2003 as high profile projects of the engagement policy championed by former South Korean president Kim Dae Jung.
But attempts by South Korea to get Pyongyang to allow trains to actually run on the tracks were met with stonewalling by North Korea's military.
Three times it cancelled planned test runs like today's, citing security concerns.
But now -- and keeping in mind an 80-million dollar aid package from the South -- North Korea has allowed the test to go ahead.
Professor Lee Jung-hoon from Seoul's Yonsei University:
LEE: It's quite frankly symbolism, and it's just that symbolism, in terms of symbol of some degree of cooperation between the two Koreas.
MCLEOD: Professor Lee believes the test going ahead is the result of long-term pressure from South Korea, and a realisation from Pyongyang that it's in its interests to allow a test to go ahead now.
LEE: The Government and the ruling party has been trying very hard to bring the North Korea factor into the election. And to do so, this sort of symbolism is a very positive factor. And therefore they've been trying very hard to make this happen and this is a stepping stone for maybe even more symbolism. Such as, I know that the ruling camp is also trying to bring about a summit meeting, even if our President has to travel to North Korea.
MCLEOD: Yet South Korea may face criticism for making a big show of the cross-border railway link when there's still uncertainty over Pyongyang's nuclear programs.
North Korea said again this week it would only begin disabling its nuclear reactor when it received the proceeds of accounts frozen in a bank in Macau over money laundering concerns.
Peter Beck from the International Crisis Group in Seoul says today's test may not be viewed favourably by other countries involved in the six-party talks on North Korea.
BECK: There's a lot of concern in Washington that Seoul's getting out in front of Washington and the whole six-party talks process by not only restarting the railway but forging ahead to expand Gaeseong to begin natural resource extraction, to provide further humanitarian assistance as well as development assistance to the North. This is making Washington anxious because it'll take the incentive away from the North to comply with their nuclear obligations.
MCLEOD: For now, South Korea is content to enjoy the day as it realises its dream of trains crossing the demilitarised zone.
But its hopes of making it a more regular event could be some way off.
South Korea's unification minister today said he would like to begin regular services across the border this year.
But North Korea has given permission for today's test only.
