N. Korea proposes connection of international air routes with S. Korea

By Park Sae-jin Posted : November 16, 2018, 18:23 Updated : November 16, 2018, 18:23

[Courtesy of Air Koryo]


SEOUL -- In an effort to reopen trade routes and become a reliable trading partner on the global stage, North Korea made a rare proposal to open its airspace to regular international air routes for planes flying into South Korea.

The North's proposal came at aviation talks with South Korea Friday at an inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong, a North Korean border city. It was part of a series of inter-Korean talks galvanized by a summit in April between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

South Korea agreed to continue discussions on North Korea's proposal and other issues such as opening a direct inter-Korean route for passenger airplanes at the next round of aviation talks.

North Korea has asked the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to allow its airplanes to fly through South Korea's airspace to third countries. ICAO officials would be allowed to inspect North Korea's aviation industry.

The two sides have discussed various joint projects including the proposed reconnection of severed railways and roads across the border and the establishment of an inter-Korean pipeline to bring Russian natural gas.
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