Issues of Integration of Trans-Korean and Continental Railways

Abstract

Since the 1990s, the Government of the Republic of Korea has pursued a systematic policy of connecting the railways of the Korean Peninsula to organise a Trans-Korean railway with access to the mainland railway network but has not achieved the implementation of this project. Differences in economic systems and infrastructure of two countries are deterrents to organisation of the Trans-Korean railway.The paper considers main historical periods, reflecting the stages of reunification of the Trans-Korean railway with the possibility of organising a transcontinental transportation. For the Republic of Korea, the emergence of a Trans-Korean and continental railway transportation will allow reorienting container flow from sea and road transport to the railway in the Asia-Europe direction, which will significantly speed up and make the delivery of goods more stable. The predicted volume of container flow between Korea and Eurasia can reach 300,000 containers per year by 2040. The objective of this study is to analyse the state, problems and trends in organisation of the Trans-Korean railway with an access in future to the transport network of the Asia-Pacific region. In this study, methods of analysis, synthesis and comparison are used.Possible solutions for integration of Trans-Korean and continental railways are presented in five aspects. Long-term policies and plans drawn up based on consultations between the leadership of two Korean countries need support through revealing interests of international organisations and neighbouring countries. The strengthening and development of the railway infrastructure of the DPRK is possible with the help of joint projects with the Republic of Korea and neighbouring countries. The creation of a transcontinental railway and the development of technology for accelerated customs clearance of containers will allow the countries of the Korean Peninsula to reach a new level of political and economic cooperation.