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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Two Koreas agree rail timetable | Two Koreas agree rail timetable |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| North and South Korea have agreed a timetable for establishing cargo rail services between their two nations, the first for more than 50 years. | |
| Trains will begin crossing the border on 11 December, connecting South Korea with an industrial zone in the North. | Trains will begin crossing the border on 11 December, connecting South Korea with an industrial zone in the North. |
| The agreement came after a three-day meeting in Seoul between South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong-il. | The agreement came after a three-day meeting in Seoul between South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong-il. |
| The talks were the first between prime ministers of the two Koreas since 1992. | The talks were the first between prime ministers of the two Koreas since 1992. |
| They followed a historic summit last month between leaders of the two nations, only the second since the Korean peninsula was partitioned more than five decades ago. | They followed a historic summit last month between leaders of the two nations, only the second since the Korean peninsula was partitioned more than five decades ago. |
| The leaders signed an accord calling for greater peace and economic partnership, and the prime ministers have been using their meeting to implement some of the proposals. | The leaders signed an accord calling for greater peace and economic partnership, and the prime ministers have been using their meeting to implement some of the proposals. |
| 'Expand investment' | 'Expand investment' |
| There is currently no rail service between North and South Korea. In May, two trains crossed the border in a test-run and South Korea has since been pushing for more regular rail links. | There is currently no rail service between North and South Korea. In May, two trains crossed the border in a test-run and South Korea has since been pushing for more regular rail links. |
| 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 War | 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 War |
| Under the deal, cargo trains will run along a 25km (16 mile) section of track linking Munsan in the South with Bongdong in the North. | Under the deal, cargo trains will run along a 25km (16 mile) section of track linking Munsan in the South with Bongdong in the North. |
| This would improve access to the Kaesong industrial complex, a joint economic zone on the North Korean side of the border. | This would improve access to the Kaesong industrial complex, a joint economic zone on the North Korean side of the border. |
| South Korea has also agreed to repair roads and railways linking the complex with other parts of North Korea, and to help with the development of a shipping district in the North's port city of Haeju. | South Korea has also agreed to repair roads and railways linking the complex with other parts of North Korea, and to help with the development of a shipping district in the North's port city of Haeju. |
| "The agreements set the stage for our companies to expand investment in the North and substantially contribute to its economic development," the South Korean prime minister said in a statement. | "The agreements set the stage for our companies to expand investment in the North and substantially contribute to its economic development," the South Korean prime minister said in a statement. |
| The two sides also agreed to begin negotiations on setting up a joint fishing zone around a disputed sea border in the first half of next year. | The two sides also agreed to begin negotiations on setting up a joint fishing zone around a disputed sea border in the first half of next year. |
| The area has been the scene of serious naval clashes in the past. | The area has been the scene of serious naval clashes in the past. |
| The two Koreas have been divided for more than 50 years and remain technically at war, but in recent years ties have improved under Seoul's policy of economic engagement. | The two Koreas have been divided for more than 50 years and remain technically at war, but in recent years ties have improved under Seoul's policy of economic engagement. |
| Pyongyang's broader international ties also appear to be taking a turn for the better. | Pyongyang's broader international ties also appear to be taking a turn for the better. |
| In February, North Korea agreed to end its nuclear programme in return for aid. It is currently in the process of disabling its main nuclear reactor at Yongbyon. | In February, North Korea agreed to end its nuclear programme in return for aid. It is currently in the process of disabling its main nuclear reactor at Yongbyon. |