The Democratic Party Launches Special Committee on Inter-Korean High-Speed Rail: "From Busan to Eurasia"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The Democratic Party of Korea's Special Committee for the Promotion of the Inter-Korean High-Speed Railway was launched on the 4th.

At the inauguration ceremony held at the National Assembly that day, Representative Lee Nak-yeon said, "Our aspiration is the connection between the North and South symbolized by the railway, but it is currently severed due to UN sanctions," adding, "In other words, if inter-Korean relations resume and connections are discussed in the future, the railway will inevitably be the first topic of discussion."

Floor Leader Kim Tae-nyeon stated, "If the special law for the Gadeokdo New Airport is passed in the February National Assembly, a grand project to transform Busan into a Northeast Asian logistics hub will begin in earnest, and through the inter-Korean railway connection project, we will make Busan both the starting point and terminus of the Eurasian continental railway." He continued, "The Democratic Party will create a magnificent Eurasian railway route starting from Busan, passing through Seoul and Beijing, and running along the Trans-Siberian route."

The special committee chairman is Assemblyman Yang Ki-dae, and members from the party include Assemblymen Yoon Hu-deok, Park Jae-ho, Park Jeong, Yoo Dong-su, So Byung-hoon, and Kim Seung-nam. From the private sector, former Ambassador to Russia Woo Yoon-geun, former Minister of Justice Kang Geum-sil, former Korail President Oh Young-sik, and Jim Rogers, Chairman of Rogers Holdings, participated. The advisory group includes Assemblymen Kim Tae-nyeon, Noh Woong-rae, Song Young-gil, Lee Kwang-jae, and former Minister of Unification Lee Jae-jung.

Former Ambassador Woo described the inter-Korean high-speed railway as "the shortest and most effective shortcut to establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula," while former Minister Kang expressed hope that "concrete plans for the railway's promotion would emerge regardless of political issues or North Korea sanctions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.