Firing Up Inter-Korean Rail Connection... Government Holds Ceremony to Promote Donghae Bukbu Line Project

Gangneung~Goseong Jejin Railway Construction Project
Possible Connection to North-South + Siberia
Ministry of Unification "On the 2nd Anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration"

A panoramic view of Jejin Station on the Donghae Line.

The government will hold the 'East Sea Northern Line Promotion Ceremony' at Jejin Station in Goseong-gun, Gangwon Province, to mark the 2nd anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration. This project connects 104.6 km between Gangneung and Jejin in Goseong, and in the future, it could link with the Trans-Siberian Railway (TSR) through inter-Korean railway connections.

On the 20th, the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced, "To commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration, the 'East Sea Northern Line Promotion Ceremony' will be held at Jejin Station in Goseong-gun, Gangwon Province, at 11 a.m. on the 27th."

The Ministry of Unification explained, "Through this event, the government aims to reflect on the significance of the 'East Sea Northern Line Gangneung~Jejin Railway Construction Project' for revitalizing the domestic economy and connecting inter-Korean railways."

They added, "On the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration, we will strengthen the will to implement the inter-Korean railway connection agreement and gather the expectations and hopes of the people regarding this."

Yeo Sang-gi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office, "In the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration, the South and North Korean leaders agreed on various matters for establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula, and the East Sea Northern Line project is part of those agreements."

He continued, "The project on the South Korean side of the East Sea Northern Line can be promoted on our own schedule, and since it aligns with the spirit of April 27, we intend to use this opportunity to advance it."

Spokesperson Yeo said, "The East Sea Northern Line project not only fulfills the implementation of previously agreed railway and road connection projects between the South and North but also responds to many requests from local communities. We believe it will greatly help stimulate the local economy."

Before the ceremony, the Ministry of Unification plans to hold the 313th Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Promotion Council meeting chaired by Minister Kim Yeon-chul around the 23rd.

At the meeting, they will discuss recognizing the 'East Sea Northern Line Gangneung~Jejin Railway Construction Project' as an inter-Korean exchange and cooperation project, aiming to create conditions for early commencement, such as exemption from preliminary feasibility studies.

Spokesperson Yeo explained, "If recognized as an inter-Korean cooperation project, it can be exempted from preliminary feasibility studies, which will shorten the construction period."

Meanwhile, about 150 people, including the Minister of Unification, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Governor of Gangwon Province, and heads of government, local governments, and related organizations, are expected to attend the ceremony. The event will include commemorative speeches by key attendees, performances wishing for inter-Korean railway connections, and ceremonial tree planting.

The Ministry of Unification stated, "Considering the current COVID-19 situation, thorough quarantine measures such as social distancing between seats, temperature checks, mask-wearing, and provision of hand sanitizers will be implemented."

Promotional material related to the inter-Korean railway connection project by the Ministry of Unification