North Korean Ships Allowed to Sail Across South of Jeju Island
ROK Ministry of Unification
2004-03-05
March 2, 2004
Ministry of Unification North Korean ships will be allowed to sail across the southern tip of Jeju Island for their east-west navigation around the Korean peninsula, which would reduce shipping distance between Nampo on the West Sea and Wonsan on the East Sea by about 400 miles. North Korea accepted South Korea's argument that vessels from the North would not be allowed passage through the Jeju straits for security reasons, but could navigate around the southern tip of the island. Ships from the South sailing on the territorial waters and mooring at North Korean ports can now freely communicate with their home shipping companies. Previously, communications were not allowed for the South Korean vessels while within the North's territorial seas. South and North Korea reached the agreements during their fourth working-level contact on shipping cooperation held at Gaeseong February 25-26. Officials of the two sides discussed the "Attached Agreement," which will become an implementation tool for the South-North Shipping Agreement initialed December 2002, and were in general agreement. They will also finalize and adopt the supplement to the shipping agreement through the exchange of documents at an early date. A spokesman for the government said the two sides shared the perception that shipping cooperation and relaxation of military tensions were mutually complementary and in their respective interest. Meanwhile, South and North Korea held their ninth working-level contact for the connection of inter-Korean railways and roads at Gaeseong February 25-26. In connection with the railway and road construction, the two sides agreed to cooperate fully and start providing materials/equipment in time for road paving in March and bridge spans for use along the Donghae (East Sea) Rail-line in May. By agreeing on setting up asphalt mixing lots for road construction, the two sides now seem ready to go ahead with the connection of railways and roads on a stable basis. They agreed on a two-day Eastern region on-site visit by experts from the South following completion of the delivery of rock removal equipment. Also agreed on was the establishment in April of a vehicle operations office, but with regard to the agreement on train operations, they agreed to discuss it at the fourth working-level meeting. The North requested for provision of materials for the construction of Seoul-Sinuiju and Donghae Railway stations on its side, to which the South promised to respond after a full review.
