Jottings from the Granite Studio

From Reuters: Two passenger trains–one heading north and one heading south–will cross the last frontier of the Cold War later today. It will make the first time North and South Korea have been linked by rail in 56 years.

While the ‘train exchange’ is mostly symbolic (the trains are going only about 15 miles in either direction and will return the same day) it’s another sign that relations between the two Koreas are warming somewhat.

Beyond dreams of reunification, South Korea has a practical reason for attempting to re-establish rail links with the North. Seoul wants to establish direct freight service with China and Russia which would mean lower shipping costs for South Korean exports. (h/t HNN)