Issue Focus

The Seoul-Shinuiju railroad and road construction project was a project agreed upon between the leaders of the South and North Korea in the October 4 Declaration in 2007, the Panmunjom Declaration and the Pyongyang Joint Declaration in 2018. The early users of the Seoul-Sinuiju high-speed railroad are South Koreans and Chinese, and considering their needs, it is necessary to construct a high-speed rail. In other words, Considering the preferences of the North Korean government and the needs of major customers, it is necessary to construct a high-speed rail rather than a general railroad and a highway rather than a general road. The construction of the Seoul-Sinuiju high-speed rail and highway can be promoted as an international land transportation project jointly promoted with the international community such as China, Russia, U.S.A etc. Under the current situation of international sanctions against North Korea, Seoul-Shinuiju high-speed railway and highway construction projects cannot be carried out in earnest. However, research projects are possible if the United States, the United Nations and South and North Korea consult. Research is needed on the details necessary for the project, such as the route of the Seoul-Shinuiju high-speed railway and highway, construction conditions, traffic demand, total project cost, the way the project is carried out (financial, Public Private Partnership), economic analysis, and policy support matters etc.