North and South Korea have decided to inaugurate in late November or early December work on reconnecting railway and roads between the two countries. The rail and road connection between the two countries was cut during the Korean War of 1950-53.
The decision came during talks in the border village of Panmunjom as a follow up on the third summit this year between President Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un last month.
“The South and North reached the agreement after sincerely discussing action plans to develop inter-Korean relations to a new, higher stage,” said a joint statement released by the South’s Unification Ministry.
Joint field studies, too, will be carried out later this month as part of the plan.
Officials also agreed to hold military talks "as soon as possible" to ease tensions at the border area and to arrange a Red Cross meeting to discuss issues on reunions for war-separated families.
They will also separately discuss a planned joint bid to host the 2032 Olympics and a show by North Korean performers in Seoul, the statement said.
Monday's talks marked the second meeting between South Korean unification minister Cho Myoung-gyon and his North Korean counterpart Ri Son Gwon since President Moon Jae-in met with Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang last month.
But as Seoul takes strides with the North, it has displayed increasing differences with its ally Washington, which is wary of the rapid pace of rapprochement on the peninsula.
At a summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore Kim declared his backing for denuclearisation of the peninsula, but no details were agreed and Washington and Pyongyang have subsequently sparred over what that means and how it will be achieved.
The United States is still pursuing a policy of “maximum pressure” to get North Korea to give up its nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programs. Trump said on Wednesday South Korea would not lift sanctions on North Korea without US approval.
The leaders of the two Koreas also endorsed a military pact, which includes the halting of military exercises, a no-fly zone near their border and the gradual removal of landmines and guard posts within the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ).
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed “discontent” over that agreement, South Korea’s foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha said last week.
Kang’s remarks amounted to a rare confirmation of discord between South Korea and the United States, though the allies have said they remain in lockstep on North Korea.
