South Korea has restarted a tourist rail service to its northernmost border station near North Korea, in what many see as a symbolic move toward improving relations between the two countries.
The train now runs again to Dorasan Station in the border city of Paju, a location close to the heavily fortified border separating North and South Korea.
South Korea’s Unification Minister, Chung Dong-young, said the reopening is meant to help make peace feel more real and present in everyday life rather than just a political idea. He described it as a “small starting point” toward normalizing peace between the two Koreas.
The move comes as President Lee Jae Myung has continued efforts to reopen dialogue with North Korea since taking office in 2025. However, tensions remain, as North Korea recently referred to the South as its “most hostile state.”
Despite the tension, South Korean officials say they hope the railway could one day reconnect fully with North Korea, symbolizing deeper cooperation and shared prosperity.
Overall, while the train service is mainly for tourism, it carries strong symbolic meaning as part of Seoul’s wider push for reconciliation and reduced hostility on the Korean Peninsula.
Source: Newstimehub
