Yakunin hoping for progress in development of RZD project for transit through North Korea
ODESSA. Sept 29 (Interfax) - The president of OJSC Russian Railways (RZD), Vladimir Yakunin, is hoping for progress in the development of a project for transit of freight through North Korea.
Yakunin made this statement at a briefing in Odessa in the framework of a meeting of the Coordinating Committee for Trans-Siberian Transport.
He said: "The project, of course, as the all life in this part of the world, is very much politicized and this is holding back its implementation. However, the last visit of the North Korean leader to Russia and negotiations with the Russian President, which touched upon the supply of hydrocarbon materials to South Korea via North Korea, has made us much more optimistic. If this level of approval is reached [approval of North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Il] movement might be made on the railway project".
Yakunin described relations with representatives of North and South Korea as "business-like" and "very welcoming". He added that a demonstration trip will be made along the Hasan-Rajin railway line in October.