MUNSAN, South Korea - Trains departed Thursday for the first rail journey through the heavily armed border dividing the two Koreas in more than half a century, the latest symbol of historic reconciliation between the longtime foes.
The one-time test runs of trains along two restored tracks on the west and east sides of the peninsula comes after repeated delays since the rail lines were linked in 2003 and despite unresolved tensions over the North's nuclear weapons.
"It is not simply a test run. It means reconnecting the severed bloodline of our people. It means that the heart of the Korean peninsula is beating again," Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung said at a ceremony at Munsan station, 12 kilometres south of the Demilitarized Zone, before boarding the train.
The two Koreas "should not be derailed from the track or hesitate" in their moves toward unification, North Korean Senior Cabinet Councillor Kwon Ho Ung said.
However, Kwon also repeated the North's claims that outside powers -- usually a reference to the United States -- were the main obstacle to reconciliation between the Koreas.
"Even at this point, challenges are continuing from divisive forces at home and abroad who don't like reconciliation and unification of our people," Kwon said.
Volleys of coloured fireworks burst in the sky above the train as it moved into position in front of a red-carpeted platform for passengers to board, cheered on by a crowd of hundreds waving small paper flags depicting a unified Korean peninsula in blue.
The tests include two five-car trains with 150 people aboard -- one departing from the North and another from the South. Both trains will return later Thursday after spending a few hours on the opposite side.
On the western side of the border, 27.3 kilometres of track have been laid between the South's Munsan and Kaesong in the North. The new eastern line links North Korea's Diamond Mountain with Jejin in the South across 25.5 kilometres of track.
The two Koreas resumed efforts at rapprochement after North Korea agreed in February to take initial steps to dismantle its nuclear weapons programs.
