Trans-Korean Main Line

Map of existing railway infrastructure in North Korea

The Trans-Korean Main Line is a project to build railway infrastructure in North Korea, and allow rail freight to travel between South Korea and Russia; it is hoped to halve the time taken to transport freight from eastern Asia to Europe^[1] and earn substantial transit fees.^[2]

In 2001, the leaders of Russia and North Korea signed agreements to construct a rail corridor.^[3]

Construction

In 2008, reconstruction work began on a 54 km cross-border rail link between Khasan in Russia, and the Korean port of Rasŏn, via Tumangang in Korea;^[4] Russian Railways sees this as a first step in construction of a trans-Korean main line.^[5] Initially freight is expected to be forwarded by sea from Busan to Rasŏn; there are also plans to reconstruct a line from Rasŏn to the Chinese border.^[6] Further plans are to extend the line along the east coast of Korea to Busan.^[7] A line between Onjong-ri and Jojin would be rebuilt.^[8]

See also

• Sino-Korea Friendship Bridge
• Rail transport in South Korea
• Rail transport in North Korea

References

1. "Russian Railways begins reconstruction of Trans-Korean Main Line : Coordinating Council on Transsiberian Transportation". Retrieved 2010-10-30.
2. "Unlocking Russian Interests on the Korean Peninsula" (PDF). 2009-07-15. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
3. "Trans-Korean Main Line". 2010-10-30. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
4. "Railway Gazette: Rajin port accord". Retrieved 2010-10-30.
5. "Trans-Korean Main Line - Investment in the Future". Russian Transport Daily Report. 2010-10-29. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
6. "Railway Gazette: Trans-Korean reconstruction begins". Retrieved 2010-10-30.
7. "Comments on the Regional Railroad Network and Power Grid Interconnection" (PDF). 2007-04-12. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
8. "North Korea-South Korea Railway - Railway Technology". Retrieved 2010-10-30.