As reported by The International Herald Tribune, North and South Korea began regular cargo train service across their heavily armed border Tuesday for the first time in more than a half century. While I do not think that the 12-car train or the construction materials, shoes, underwear and other items will make a marked difference in the economies of either country, it is a symbolic yet tangible beginning. As the article notes:

“…The service is one of the tangible results of an October summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun that outlined a series of joint projects… The cargo train is to make a 16.5-kilometer (10-mile) round trip every weekday to North Korea…”

Perhaps more interesting is the shorter-term opportunity to provide a land-based economic corridor to create an overland route between Asia and Europe:

“…South Korea hopes the inter-Korean railway will ultimately be linked through North Korea to Russia’s Trans-Siberian railroad and allow an overland route connecting the peninsula to Europe — significantly cutting delivery times for freight that now requires sea transport.

“Though we start with a cargo train, it will lead to a passenger train service and will soon be linked to the continental trains,” Lee Chul, president of Korea Railroad, told reporters. “The economic benefits are countless….”