North Korea-China cargo train operation seems to have resumed–Unification ministry

A cargo train crosses a railway bridge from the Chinese border city of Dandong toward the North Korean city of Sinuiju on Monday. (Yonhap via The Korea Herald/Asia News Network)

DANDONG/SEOUL — A freight train from the Chinese border city of Dandong was seen crossing a railway bridge into North Korea on Monday, marking the resumption of such a cargo service operation between the two countries after a five-month halt.

The train with more than 10 cars was spotted crossing the bridge over the Yalu River toward the North’s border city of Sinuiju at 7:43 a.m.

Cross-border rail operation between the two countries had been suspended since April 29, following a lockdown in Dandong attributable to the spread of COVID-19. The North also reported a coronavirus outbreak in May and had implemented “maximum emergency anti-epidemic” measures.

A source in China said cargo rail service between the neighbors has normalized with the stabilization of the COVID-19 situation, adding it is to operate one to two times a day.

Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared victory in the country’s battle against the virus, and Pyongyang announced a shift to the easing of some curbs.

In Seoul, the Unification Ministry, tasked with handling inter-Korean affairs, also said the two sides appear to have resumed a cargo rail service.

“Although the North and China have not made any formal confirmation, it appears that cross-border cargo train operation between the two sides has resumed today, considering various circumstances,” Cho Joong-hoon, the ministry’s spokesperson, said in a press briefing when asked about the issue.

It remains to be seen whether the train service will continue down the road and which goods will be transported. (Yonhap)

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