Full Version: Train connects the two Koreas
I haven't seen much news coverage of this event, so I thought I'd bring it up here.
Is this a good thing? Why or why not? Would a train traversing the DPRK under the current regime make the world a safer or less safe place?
I'll save my thoughts for later......
QUOTE
MUNSAN, South Korea - Trains crossed into the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone on Thursday for the first rail journey through the border dividing the two Koreas in more than half a century, the latest symbol of historic reconciliation between the longtime foes.
The one-time test run of trains through the 2 1/2 no man's land along two restored tracks on the west and east sides of the peninsula comes after repeated delays since the rail lines were linked in 2003 — and despite unresolved tensions over the North's nuclear weapons.
*snip*
However, Pyongyang failed to shut down its sole bomb-making reactor by a mid-April deadline under that agreement with the U.S. and other regional powers. The North has said it will not move to disarm until a separate dispute over frozen funds is resolved, but that has been held up by technical issues involved in transferring US$25 million (euro18.5 million) in its accounts.
The train test will be the latest hole punched through the DMZ since the two Koreas embarked on unprecedented reconciliation with their first-and-only summit in June 2000. Roads have also been restored and thousands of South Koreans cross annually as tourists visiting Diamond Mountain or to work in the joint-Korean industrial zone in Kaesong.
The one-time test run of trains through the 2 1/2 no man's land along two restored tracks on the west and east sides of the peninsula comes after repeated delays since the rail lines were linked in 2003 — and despite unresolved tensions over the North's nuclear weapons.
*snip*
However, Pyongyang failed to shut down its sole bomb-making reactor by a mid-April deadline under that agreement with the U.S. and other regional powers. The North has said it will not move to disarm until a separate dispute over frozen funds is resolved, but that has been held up by technical issues involved in transferring US$25 million (euro18.5 million) in its accounts.
The train test will be the latest hole punched through the DMZ since the two Koreas embarked on unprecedented reconciliation with their first-and-only summit in June 2000. Roads have also been restored and thousands of South Koreans cross annually as tourists visiting Diamond Mountain or to work in the joint-Korean industrial zone in Kaesong.
Is this a good thing? Why or why not? Would a train traversing the DPRK under the current regime make the world a safer or less safe place?
I'll save my thoughts for later......
I heard a little about this. My initial feeling is that it's a good thing, even if it's just a symbolic gesture. Any crack in an Iron Curtain, or Bamboo Curtain, is a good thing. If nothing else, if people within North Korea can get a hint of what life is like outside their isolated world, maybe there might someday be a little bit more freedom in that part of the world.
As far as such a train making the world more safe or less safe, well, I don't know. I suppose there could be some kind of security risk, with dangerous information or materials making their way into North Korea. However, I don't think that such a risk outweighs the potential benefits.
I'm cautiously optimistic.
As far as such a train making the world more safe or less safe, well, I don't know. I suppose there could be some kind of security risk, with dangerous information or materials making their way into North Korea. However, I don't think that such a risk outweighs the potential benefits.
I'm cautiously optimistic.
Hurray! Someone posted here. Thanks, Vicky, for not letting this thread die out in one day. 
I'll post my thoughts now, in case there remains little interest I'd like to spout my opinion on the matter.
For starters, south Korea paid the DPRK an 80 million dollar bribe for their military to "permit" this one time test run. That doesn't include the 150+ million dollars worth of foodstuffs and goods it also promised for this one-time run. I'm reminded of the $500 million dollars worth of bribes paid by the Kim Dae-jung government to secure the world's most expensive photo op with Kim Jong-il at the June 2000 Inter-Korean summit. If the south keeps this up the north won't need such a robust counterfeiting ring.
This is touted as a step towards reunification, but the main reason that the ROK government wants the rail link to work is not because of reunification. They hope that the link will enable them to realize their dream of being the logistic hub of NE Asia, potentially offering the ROK a great deal of money and prestige. If the DPRK were to hypothetically keep the link open, a container train from Europe could go all the way to Busan via the TSR. Transporters would find that a lot cheaper then shipping containers via huge ocean going ships as they do now. All of that is good.
The down side: The DPRK government could make a ton of money just allowing container trains to run non-stop through heavily fenced off and guarded rail lines in DPRK. That money would go into the DPRK coffers and directly finance the most authoritarian government in the world.
Case in point, what has happened since the Gaeseong industrial park opened, with billions financed by the ROK government? KJI kicked out the world food agencies, and finished development of his nuclear weapons program. It doesn't take a psychic to forsee this ‘deal’ continuing to cost the ROK incredible amounts of cash to KJI to ensure that the route remains open and ‘free’. Future ‘accidents’ or ‘breakdowns’ and urgent calls for billions to fix a broken rail track, “train hits cow/bus/schoolboy, send X hundred million in cash immediately or the trains will be delayed for a few weeks”.
I'll post my thoughts now, in case there remains little interest I'd like to spout my opinion on the matter.
For starters, south Korea paid the DPRK an 80 million dollar bribe for their military to "permit" this one time test run. That doesn't include the 150+ million dollars worth of foodstuffs and goods it also promised for this one-time run. I'm reminded of the $500 million dollars worth of bribes paid by the Kim Dae-jung government to secure the world's most expensive photo op with Kim Jong-il at the June 2000 Inter-Korean summit. If the south keeps this up the north won't need such a robust counterfeiting ring.
This is touted as a step towards reunification, but the main reason that the ROK government wants the rail link to work is not because of reunification. They hope that the link will enable them to realize their dream of being the logistic hub of NE Asia, potentially offering the ROK a great deal of money and prestige. If the DPRK were to hypothetically keep the link open, a container train from Europe could go all the way to Busan via the TSR. Transporters would find that a lot cheaper then shipping containers via huge ocean going ships as they do now. All of that is good.
The down side: The DPRK government could make a ton of money just allowing container trains to run non-stop through heavily fenced off and guarded rail lines in DPRK. That money would go into the DPRK coffers and directly finance the most authoritarian government in the world.
Case in point, what has happened since the Gaeseong industrial park opened, with billions financed by the ROK government? KJI kicked out the world food agencies, and finished development of his nuclear weapons program. It doesn't take a psychic to forsee this ‘deal’ continuing to cost the ROK incredible amounts of cash to KJI to ensure that the route remains open and ‘free’. Future ‘accidents’ or ‘breakdowns’ and urgent calls for billions to fix a broken rail track, “train hits cow/bus/schoolboy, send X hundred million in cash immediately or the trains will be delayed for a few weeks”.
Therefore, under the guise of a PR operation, there is actually pure mercantile interest at heart. Hmm... I guess the ROK doesn't really care about what KJI will do with his millions then. With the little bit of information available on the matter, my opinion is that it is shameful for South Korea to focus on their trade interests when they very well know who they are dealing with.
I don't foresee any good coming to the streetman of the PRNK with this railroad. Just another dream on rails...
I don't foresee any good coming to the streetman of the PRNK with this railroad. Just another dream on rails...
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