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Korean PMs 'agree rail-link deal' Korean PMs 'agree rail-link deal'
(about 4 hours later)
A regular freight train service over the heavily-armed border between North and South Korea could start before the end of the year, officials say.A regular freight train service over the heavily-armed border between North and South Korea could start before the end of the year, officials say.
The deal, on the second day of talks between prime ministers from the two countries, marks the first agreed schedule for the train link.The deal, on the second day of talks between prime ministers from the two countries, marks the first agreed schedule for the train link.
The South has pushed for reliable transport links to supply the factories its firms run in the North.The South has pushed for reliable transport links to supply the factories its firms run in the North.
The deal follows an agreement made last month by the countries' presidents. It follows an agreement made last month at a summit of the countries' leaders.
'Shared understanding''Shared understanding'
North Korean Prime Minister Kim Yong-il and his counterpart from the South, Han Duck-soo, are spending three days in discussions in the South's capital, Seoul.North Korean Prime Minister Kim Yong-il and his counterpart from the South, Han Duck-soo, are spending three days in discussions in the South's capital, Seoul.
The South's Unification Ministry spokesman, Kim Nam-shik, said the two sides were now trying to set a specific date for starting the rail service.
THE TWO KOREAS 1910: Korean Peninsula colonised by Japan1945: Divided into US-backed South and Soviet-backed North1950-1953: Korean War, no peace deal signed1987: North Korea bombs a South airliner, killing 1151990s: South Korea introduces conciliatory Sunshine Policy2000: Kim Jong-il and Kim Dae-jung hold first leaders' summit2007: Kim Jong-il and Roh Moo-hyun hold second leaders' summit History of the Korean WarTHE TWO KOREAS 1910: Korean Peninsula colonised by Japan1945: Divided into US-backed South and Soviet-backed North1950-1953: Korean War, no peace deal signed1987: North Korea bombs a South airliner, killing 1151990s: South Korea introduces conciliatory Sunshine Policy2000: Kim Jong-il and Kim Dae-jung hold first leaders' summit2007: Kim Jong-il and Roh Moo-hyun hold second leaders' summit History of the Korean War
The South's Unification Ministry spokesman, Kim Nam-shik, said the two sides were now trying to set a specific date for starting the rail service.
The 25km (16 mile) track runs from the heavily-guarded border to a joint industrial complex in the North's city of Kaesong.The 25km (16 mile) track runs from the heavily-guarded border to a joint industrial complex in the North's city of Kaesong.
"Both sides shared an understanding that it would be meaningful in further vitalising the Kaesong industrial complex," said the spokesman."Both sides shared an understanding that it would be meaningful in further vitalising the Kaesong industrial complex," said the spokesman.
The meeting - the first at prime ministerial level for 15 years - follows October's historic summit in Pyongyang between the two countries' presidents. The meeting - the first at prime ministerial level for 15 years - follows October's historic summit in Pyongyang between the two countries' leaders.
Specifics Divided families
The summit, between the North's Kim Jong-il and the South's Roh Moo-hyun, was only the second such meeting since the Korean peninsula was partitioned over half a century ago. The summit between the North's Kim Jong-il and the South's President Roh Moo-hyun was only the second such meeting since the Korean peninsula was partitioned over half a century ago.
The two presidents signed an accord calling for greater peace and economic partnership, despite the two countries remaining technically at war with each other. The two leaders signed an accord calling for greater peace and economic partnership, despite the two countries remaining technically at war with each other.
They also agreed in principle for the regular cargo rail service to be established.They also agreed in principle for the regular cargo rail service to be established.
The prime ministers are using their meeting to discuss more specific proposals.The prime ministers are using their meeting to discuss more specific proposals.
One key issue is the establishment of a joint fishing area around the disputed western sea border - the scene of naval clashes in the past - and a new economic zone around the North Korean port of Haeju.One key issue is the establishment of a joint fishing area around the disputed western sea border - the scene of naval clashes in the past - and a new economic zone around the North Korean port of Haeju.
The South also hopes to increase the number of reunion meetings for families separated when the peninsula was split.The South also hopes to increase the number of reunion meetings for families separated when the peninsula was split.
Prime ministerial meetings between the two Koreas were suspended in 1992 amid growing concern over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.Prime ministerial meetings between the two Koreas were suspended in 1992 amid growing concern over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.