Since the 1953 armistice of the Korean War, all roads within the demilitarized zone have been severed. On Thursday, for the first time since then, a single road will be reconnected by the two Koreas.
South Korean officials described the road as unpaved, and in Gangwon Province. The two sides will coordinate on this first road connection as part of recent deals to improve tensions. The Koreans remain technically at war.
A year’s worth of diplomatic progress has both sides seeing the end in sight for the war, and the deal will not only see this road connected, but also a rail link, at some future point. These are the start of what could become formal connections between peaceful neighbors.
How far off that is is anyone’s guess, but both Koreas have expressed interest in reaching a peace deal soon. The big obstacle to that seems to be the Trump Administration, which has expressed opposition to any such deal until North Korea fully disarms its nuclear program, which they concede will take many years.
You don’t suppose smuglers will transport contraband on that road do you ?
For the North’s sake, let’s hope so.
Peace will come to Korea, no matter how hard the US works for more war.
Good news. Thank you.
The US should remove all bases and troops from South Korea. The two Koreas are talking and will best resolve their issues on their own without outside interference. The Koreans are not going to go to war against their own brothers. I have traveled extensively in both Koreas and have seen the same sentiment on both sides of the border. It is time to leave them alone.