This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6664091.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Korean trains in historic link-up Korean trains in historic link-up
(about 2 hours later)
A pair of passenger trains have crossed the heavily fortified border between North and South Korea for the first time in more than 50 years.A pair of passenger trains have crossed the heavily fortified border between North and South Korea for the first time in more than 50 years.
The two trains - one travelling from the North and one from the South - each carried 150 invited passengers.The two trains - one travelling from the North and one from the South - each carried 150 invited passengers.
The five-carriage trains travelled about 25km (16 miles). Rail links were cut during the 1950-53 Korean War, and the test runs are seen as a breakthrough in relations.
The test runs were the first since rail links were severed during the 1950-53 Korean War, and are being seen as a breakthrough in relations. The event comes amid continuing concern over North Korea's failure to implement a pledge to shut its main nuclear site.
As the trains set off, South Korean Unification Minister Lee Jae-joun expressed his hope that the crossing could herald a new era in North-South relations. Pyongyang agreed to shut down and seal its Yongbyon reactor by 14 April in return for fuel aid from the US, China, South Korea, Japan and Russia.
KOREAN BORDER Heavily fortified border has separated the two Koreas since 1950-53 war240 km long and 4 km wide, the DMZ takes up about 5% of the Korean peninsulaN Korea has 1.1m man army, S Korea and US forces total more than 700,000 History of Korean War
However, talks between the six nations broke down in March over a dispute involving the transfer of money, frozen in a Macau bank by the US, to North Korea.
Twin tracks
As the five-carriage trains set off on a 25km (16 miles) trip, South Korean Unification Minister Lee Jae-joun expressed his hope that the crossing could herald a new era in North-South relations.
"This will be a turning point for overcoming the legacy of the Cold War era, tearing down the wall of division and opening a new era for peace and reunification," said."This will be a turning point for overcoming the legacy of the Cold War era, tearing down the wall of division and opening a new era for peace and reunification," said.
A North Korean official, Kwon Ho-ung, said both nations "should not be derailed from the tracks" towards unification.A North Korean official, Kwon Ho-ung, said both nations "should not be derailed from the tracks" towards unification.
There were some small-scale demonstrations on the South Korean side, but they did not affect the crossing, which was marked by fireworks and cheers.There were some small-scale demonstrations on the South Korean side, but they did not affect the crossing, which was marked by fireworks and cheers.
Twin tracks
Railway links are seen in the South as one of a number of ways to improve links with North Korea.Railway links are seen in the South as one of a number of ways to improve links with North Korea.
The South wants to secure future border crossings
The South has pushed for more frequent crossings, but in talks last week managed only to convince the North to agree to an initial test run.The South has pushed for more frequent crossings, but in talks last week managed only to convince the North to agree to an initial test run.
Even for that the North has extracted a high price, says the BBC's Charles Scanlon, in the demilitarised zone. South Korea will supply it with $80 million (£41m) worth of economic aid for the development of light industry.Even for that the North has extracted a high price, says the BBC's Charles Scanlon, in the demilitarised zone. South Korea will supply it with $80 million (£41m) worth of economic aid for the development of light industry.
Border tension
The border region remains heavily mined, and a constant source of friction between North and South Korea, which never signed an official ceasefire at the end of their 1950-53 war.The border region remains heavily mined, and a constant source of friction between North and South Korea, which never signed an official ceasefire at the end of their 1950-53 war.
The trains ran on two sets of tracks, both built and maintained by South Korea.The trains ran on two sets of tracks, both built and maintained by South Korea.
Landmines and tank traps had been cleared from the narrow strip two years ago when the lines were reconnected.Landmines and tank traps had been cleared from the narrow strip two years ago when the lines were reconnected.
One runs between Munsan station in South Korea and the North's Kaesong station in the west of the peninsula.One runs between Munsan station in South Korea and the North's Kaesong station in the west of the peninsula.
The other connects Jejin station and the North's Kumgang station in the east.The other connects Jejin station and the North's Kumgang station in the east.
The tracks have been reconnected - alongside roads - as part of recent reconciliation projects.The tracks have been reconnected - alongside roads - as part of recent reconciliation projects.
Border issue
Pyongyang does not recognise the border drawn by the United Nations at the end of the Korean War.Pyongyang does not recognise the border drawn by the United Nations at the end of the Korean War.
Previous efforts to discuss cross-border trains have collapsed.Previous efforts to discuss cross-border trains have collapsed.
Analysts say a rail link would bring advantages to both sides.Analysts say a rail link would bring advantages to both sides.
For South Korea, it would mean easily transporting goods produced using cheap North Korean labour.For South Korea, it would mean easily transporting goods produced using cheap North Korean labour.
Seoul hopes one day to connect its rail network to the Trans-Siberian railway, which runs from China through to Europe.Seoul hopes one day to connect its rail network to the Trans-Siberian railway, which runs from China through to Europe.
The line would boost tourism for the North by providing a link to a mountain resort on the east coast popular with South Koreans.The line would boost tourism for the North by providing a link to a mountain resort on the east coast popular with South Koreans.