Koreas discuss modernizing Panmunjeom cables

By Yi Whan-woo

The two Koreas had a working-level dialogue on modernizing underground cables in the border village of Panmunjeom, Friday.

"The two sides discussed ways to replace copper cables with fiber-optic ones," an official at the Ministry of Unification said.

Chung Chang-rim, a director at the Ministry of Science and ICT, led the five-member South Korean delegation for the meeting at the liaison office in the inter-Korean industrial park in Gaeseong, North Korea.

Ri Yong-min, a senior official on communication affairs, led the Pyongyang delegates.

The meeting came in line with Pyongyang's offer, Nov. 15, to hold talks on modernizing the communication network at Panmunjeom, according to the unification ministry.

There are about 30 communication lines ― including phone and fax ― across Panmunjeom. They are used for daily communications, inter-Korean talks, air traffic issues, maritime issues and joint economic cooperation.

An analyst said Pyongyang was believed to have made the offer as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un seeks to boost the country's economy through advanced science and technology.

"Friday's dialogue is significant for cross-border cooperation considering Kim's goal is to make his nation an IT powerhouse," said Park Won-gon, an international relations professor at Handong Global University, referring to Kim's vision announced during the plenary meeting of the Workers' Party in April.

"Setting up fiber-optic cables will give the regime a glimpse into Seoul's advanced technology and Pyongyang can later consider expanding its cable networks with South Korean technology," Park said.

The unification ministry said modernizing the cross-border communication lines is not in violation of the U.N. sanctions on the Kim regime.

It pointed out the U.N. Security Council Sanctions Committee allowed the South to provide the North with fiber-optic cables and other supplies in July, when the two Koreas restored military communication lines the across the border at the west coast.

"We will comply with U.N. sanctions in our talks with Pyongyang on improving the communication channels," a ministry official said.

Park still expressed concerns the possible cable project could stir up controversy, saying "It inevitably requires South Korean spending on the North."

The two Koreas have communication lines at Panmunjeom and the west and east coasts.

Friday's dialogue is a part of cross-border cooperation on a wide range of issues, including rail and road infrastructure and forestry.