Trains carry nation's hopes for future

	Trains from South and North Korea crossed the heavily fortified border between the divided countries yesterday for the first time in more than 50 years, in a symbol of reconciliation. While more than a thousand spectators and international press crowded Munsan Station to watch the ceremony in the South, the mood was much more subdued in the North with no special ceremonies commemorating the event. The stark difference in the atmosphere seemed to reflect the disparity of interest between the South and the North, in reopening the railways, participants said. The operation of the test runs was carried out smoothly overall, and both trains passed through the Military Demarcation Line at around 12:20 p.m. It marked the first successful trial for the railways - one running along the west coast, and another on the east - that had sat rotting for over half a century since the end of the Korean War (1950-1953). The South Korean train ran on the Gyeongui Line from Munsan to Gaeseong, and the North Korean train traveled on the Donghae Line from Geumgang to Jaejin, each carrying 150 delegates, from both sides. While some critics were more apprehensive of the timeliness of the test-runs, it was an event celebrated by many Koreans, who believe a full reconnection of the railways in the future would move the two Koreas closer to reunification. The South Korean government contends that a full reconnection of the railways will also bring positive developments in military and economic relations with the North. The event started at around 10:30 a.m. near the Munsan Station of the Gyeongui Line, which attracted more attention both domestically and internationally because of the site's accessibility. A brief commotion occurred outside the station as several members of the families of South Koreans abducted by the North during and after the war protested the test-run. They chanted that with the railways reconnection, the amount of aid to the North will increase but that it would do little to ease the pain of the families. They were soon taken away from the site by Police guarding the area. The train, driven by 55-year-old South Korean engineer Shin Jang-chul, headed toward the North Korean destination of the Gaeseong Station at around 11:30 a.m. Balloons and "Korea Reunification" flags in blue and white adorned the side of the railway tracks to add to the celebratory atmosphere. "It's so emotional to see the train go to the North now after all those years since such a tragic war that I don't dare to remind myself," Yim Hee-jae, a 82-year-old grandmother said while watching the departure ceremony, which was televised live nationwide. A total of 100 South Korean delegates and 50 North Korean representatives were on board to take part in the journey. Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung led the South Korean group, and his North Korean counterpart Kwon Ho-ung headed the North's delegation. Also on board were former unification ministers Lee Jong-seok and Lim Dong-won, South Korean Red Cross chief Han Wan-sang, National Security Adviser to President Roh Moo-hyun, Baek Jong-chun, poet Ko Eun, and actress Ko Eun-a. No foreigners were included on the list of participants. Over 1,000 foreign reporters applied for permits from the South Korean government to cover the departure ceremony at Munsan Station. The youngest passenger was 13-year-old Jang Jin-gu, who was chosen because of his participation in a TV game show on Koreas' reunification. "Although most of my friends are not really interested in reunification, by coming here and looking at the North Korean kids (while stopping in Gaeseong), I can now understand how important (reunification) is," Jang said upon arriving in Gaeseong later in the day. The North Korean delegation comprised officials from the railways authorities, inter-Korean cooperation organizations and reporters. Many of their identities were not included on the list released to the press. The train briefly stopped at Dorasan Station for a customs check, which was conducted by South Korean officials inside the railcars. As the train neared the MDL, the delegations from both Koreas began to belt out "Our hope is reunification," a flagship song of the two Korea's move toward reunification. They clapped upon the announcement that the train has finally passed the MDL. The train then briefly stopped over at Panmun Station for another customs check, this time by North Korean officials, before arriving at Gaeseong Station around 1 p.m. The train traveled at a slow speed for safety as the route was never test-driven before the event, due to North Korea's refusal. North Korea had been reluctant to begin the test-runs since the restoration work on the railways was completed in 2004. North Korean military authorities were reportedly behind that reluctance for fear of revealing their security installations along the MDL. The delegations were greeted by some 50 clapping junior high school students donning blue and white uniforms with red handkerchiefs around their neck. They chanted "Minjok, Tongil (the people, the reunification)," as the South Koreans walked into the station. Gaeseong citizens on the streets appeared to go about their daily business, occasionally looking over at the buses carrying the delegations to a luncheon, but not waving or smiling. After the luncheon, the South Korean delegation returned to Munsan at around 4 p.m. A similar trip took place on the Donghae Line, along which a North Korean train carried a group of 150 South and North Koreans, traveling from Geumgang Station in the North to Jaejin Station in Gangwon Province, South Korea. The Seoul government was hopeful that successful test-runs would be a stepping stone to fully reopening the railways. Inter-Korean exchanges flourished almost immediately after the six-party talks drew out an important, although delayed, implementation agreement in February. The two Koreas have renewed their agreement to cooperate in North Korea's light industry and mineral resources development. In addition, South Korea has pledged 400,000 tons of rice aid. But the multinational effort regarding North Korea's nuclear program is deadlocked as Pyongyang continues to delay the shutdown of its main nuclear facilities because of a financial quagmire in Macau. Some South Korean observers also pointed out that the hurried execution of the test-runs would do little to encourage the delayed nuclear negotiations, which aim to pressure the North when progress is stalled, and provide incentives when the North complies with the agreed obligations. U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Alexander Vershbow has repeatedly highlighted the importance of coordinating inter-Korean exchanges with the progress at the six-party talks. After meeting Unification Minister Lee a day before the test upon his own request, Vershbow said, "We think that there is an agreement that if we are going to achieve our goals both in inter-Korean reconciliation and six-party talks, it is essential that the U.S. and South Korea work together to coordinate our efforts to the maximum degree possible." Before leaving for the test-run, former Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok said Vershbow's comments reflect the different interests of South Korea and the United States. "What we have to do is keep trying to coordinate our positions with each other," Lee said. The 27.3 kilometer-long Gyengui Line was cut on June 12, 1951 and the 25.5 kilometer-long Donghae Line was severed in 1950. By Lee Joo-hee and Joint Press Corps (angiely@heraldm.com) 2007.05.18