Reopening the Russia-North Korea railway line.

According to Interfax news agency on June 26, Russia will resume direct passenger rail service to North Korea in July, after a four-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the North Korean goods fair in Vladivostok on June 26, Oleg Kozhemyako, head of the Primorsky region in the Russian Far East, bordering North Korea, said that trains would run from Vladivostok to the North Korean port of Rason. Russian citizens could travel directly to North Korea by train, enjoying the natural beauty and culture there, and becoming acquainted with North Korean customs and traditions.

Mr. Kozhemyako expects thousands of Russian tourists to visit North Korea this year, including children from Primorsky who will spend their summer holidays there. At the same time, North Korean children will visit the "Ocean" youth camp near Vladivostok.

Train services between North Korea and Russia were suspended in January 2020 when North Korea closed its borders to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak. The first test train from Russia to North Korea took place on June 6, carrying 41 Russian tourists and representatives from the Primorsky tourism industry. Some Russian tourists also traveled to North Korea by plane.

North Korean soldiers patrol the railway line connecting with Russia in 2013. Photo: REUTERS

Following Russia's launch of a special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, Western sanctions have led Russia to turn to Asia and Africa to strengthen economic, security, and diplomatic ties. President Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea last week, the first since 2000, deepened Moscow-Pyongyang relations and resulted in the signing of a bilateral agreement, including a commitment to mutual defense.

HUY QUOC

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/mo-lai-tuyen-duong-sat-nga-trieu-tien-post746403.html