[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] The recruitment of participants for the Unification Train, which departs from Hyochon Station in Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City and travels round-trip to the northernmost Dorasan Station, has effectively sold out all 300 seats immediately after registration opened, sparking hopes for peace on the Korean Peninsula centered around the local community.
According to Nam-gu (District Mayor Kim Byung-nae) on the 29th, the online site recruiting participants for the Unification Train was crowded from 9 a.m. on the 28th.
Applicants rushed all at once to board the Unification Train departing from Hyochon Station on October 21.
All 300 seats allocated for the Unification Train were sold out in about 7 minutes. Many residents who waited from early morning but ultimately could not get their names on the passenger list expressed their disappointment.
The reason the Nam-gu Unification Train has attracted such great interest is that there have not been many opportunities to travel directly from Gwangju to Dorasan Station, the northernmost station where one can look toward North Korea.
It is also analyzed that the guaranteed opportunity to create good memories with residents who wish for peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula by riding the Unification Train together contributed to the high interest.
The youngest passengers boarding the Nam-gu Unification Train are two 9-year-old boys named Kim, who are understood to be traveling with their families on the unification trip.
Additionally, the oldest passengers, grandfathers Yoon and Kim, aged 85, are scheduled to board the Unification Train.
Passengers boarding the Nam-gu Unification Train will gather at 6:30 a.m. on October 21 at the Hyochon Station plaza to attend a brief departure ceremony before embarking on the unification trip to Dorasan Station, the northernmost station.
The travel time to Dorasan Station is approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes.
During this time, cultural performances including unification humanities lectures will be held inside the Unification Train, and an ‘SNS certification photo zone’ expressing hopes for unification will also be operated.
After disembarking at Dorasan Station, participants will immediately go up to the observatory to view North Korean territory and spend time exploring the Demilitarized Zone, a symbol of the pain of the Korean Peninsula.
A Nam-gu official said, “Because the course includes a tour of the Demilitarized Zone, it was not easy to expand the number of participants,” and added, “We express our gratitude to the 220,000 residents who showed great interest in the Nam-gu Unification Train.”
Meanwhile, Nam-gu is reviewing plans to increase the number of Unification Train operations next year in consultation with Korail, the Ministry of Unification, and the Ministry of National Defense.
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