Ground-breaking ceremony for Gyeongui Line

The government is currently holding discussions with Pyongyang in order to have South Korean President Kim and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il attend a ground-breaking ceremony for the Gyeongui Line restoration and road construction project on Friday.

A government official remarked that it would be desirable for the leaders of North and South Korea to participate in the ground-breaking ceremony in order to emphasize the historical importance of the restoration project. And he said that unofficial negotiations are known to be currently underway to discuss on the matter.

He also added that in addition to the attendance of the two leaders, plans are being made to have high-level officials from both Koreas attend the ceremony. According to the June 15th joint declaration, a high-level North Korean official is to visit South Korea, and hence the Labor Party¡¯s head official concerning South Korean matters, Kim Yong-Soon, is expected to travel to Seoul before the Gyeongui Line ground-breaking ceremony.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation revealed that the Gyeongui Line restoration ceremony will be held on September 18 at 10:00 a.m. in Imjingak, Paju, with President Kim and figures from various government agencies, foreign dignitaries and 1,000 other prominent members of society in attendance.

To commemorate the event, MOCT will exhibit the railroad ties and guard rails to be used in the construction process at 16 railway stations and the Jeju provincial office. A diverse range of events will be organized such as the signing of ties by citizens to pray for reunification. The railroad authorities have already initiated safety checks on the Imjingak bridge and Munsan tunnel.