After years of applying and being turned down, South Korea has finally been given the greenlight to join an influential inter-governmental organization of railway networks.<br />All made possible after Pyongyang gave its approval.<br />According to our Kwon Jang-ho, this marks the first step towards the possibility of taking a train all the way from Seoul or Busan to Western European cities like Berlin, Paris and London. <br />The Organization for Cooperation between Railways approved South Korea's application for membership on Thursday.<br /> South Korea now joins an organization of railway networks that covers much of East Asia and Eastern Europe, including the Trans-Siberian, Trans-China and Trans-Mongolian Railways. <br /> According to Seoul's transport ministry, the decision was announced at a meeting in Kazakhstan, after a unanimous vote from the 28 member states.<br /> That includes North Korea, who had blocked South Korea's membership since Seoul began applying in 2015.<br />But it seems the rekindling of relations between the two Koreas has led to Pyongyang to change its stance.<br /> The Panmunjom Declaration signed at the inter-Korean summit in April stated that "the two sides agreed to adopt practical steps towards the connection and modernization of the railways and roads."<br />Plans to connect the railways have been in the works for more than a decade, with President Moon especially pushing it as a priority, as it could provide further connections to rail networks in China, Russia, and the rest of Europe, helping South Korea cut down on shipping costs and time.<br />However hopes of catching a train from Busan all the way to London are still a long way off. <br /> Much of the Trans-Korea Railway network needs to be reconnected and renovated at an initial estimated cost of 35-billion U.S. dollars, which includes the Donghae line in the east.<br />And any such development could violate current UN sanctions on North Korea.<br /> Still, South Korea's membership in the inter-governmental organization opens doors to future possibilities, and shows North Korea's intent to foster better ties.<br />Kwon Jang-ho, Arirang News. <br />
