A train has travelled from South Korea into the North for the first time in more than ten years.
A team of rail experts are visiting the heavily-guarded state to find ways to help North Korea modernise its rail network, which Kim Jong-un once said was in an “embarrassing” state.
The two Koreas have made significant progress in improving their relationship over the past year, and he asked for help during a landmark summit in April.
The hope is that the infrastructure, which dates back to the early 20th Century, can be given a full overhaul, making it easier to travel and trade across the border.
The engineers, who are only inspecting the railways and not starting work, boarded the train in Dorasan, on Friday morning for the 2.5-hour journey to the Demilitarised Zone, which has divided the Korean peninsula since the Korean War in the 1950s.
At Panmun Station across the border, a North Korean engine took over to take them further north.
To comply with sanctions, the team were forced to carry their own fuel and supplies, and any spare fuel will have to be taken home with them.
The 28 experts will live on the train for the next 18 days while inspecting 745 miles of track and railway infrastructure.
North Korea is thought to have over 3,247 miles of railway, compared to 2,423 miles in the South.
However, most of the North Korean routes operate as single track lines with an average speed of 24-31 mph.
Cho Myoung-gyon, who heads the Unification Ministry which oversees relations with North Korea, said the project was "intended to overcome division and open a new future of the Korean Peninsula.”
He added: “Through the one connected railway, the South and the North will prosper together and the ground for peace on the Korean Peninsula will be consolidated.
“The trains running on the track will also carry peace and prosperity with them to North East Asia and the world.”
