남북 철도 공동조사, 유엔사 불허로 무산

Last week, South Korea tried to send a train into the North for a joint field study on the roads and railways... that will hopefully, one day connect the whole peninsula.
But it was apparently blocked by the UN Command.
A Unification Ministry official told reporters... the train was turned back because Seoul failed to inform the UNC 48 hours in advance that it would be passing through the demilitarized zone.
That notification didn't happen in time because talks with Pyongyang had been delayed.
The official didn't elaborate, but did mention... he was informed the main reason for the rejection wasn't the late notice.
He added the joint study does not violate sanctions on the regime,... and that the government will continue to work closely with Pyongyang and Washington to move ahead with the transportation project, as part of efforts to implement the Panmunjom Declaration.