Russia takes on North’s railway project

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Russia takes on North’s railway project


A joint project between North Korea and Russia to refurbish the Asian nation’s railways is estimated to take about 20 years, according to the CEO of the Russian construction company NPO Mostovik, which participated in the project.

“[North Korea] estimated that the project would take seven years, but considering the technical difficulties, the project will last 12 years,” Vladimir Shishov said on Voice of Russia, the government’s international radio service. “And another eight years is factored in to take into consideration the improvement and safety of the railroad system.”

The railway project, called Victory, is aimed at refurbishing the dilapidated Jaedong-Kangdong-Nampo railway network, which runs about 3,500 kilometers (2,178 miles). The railway passage is considered a critical industrial transportation route through Pyongyang.

North Korean railways, which are aged and in desperate need of repair, span about a 7,000 total kilometers. The Victory project is expected to cost about $25 billion.

In return for the railway reconstruction, North Korea has agreed to allow Russia to develop and process the country’s natural resources.

BY PARK YUNA [ypc3c@joongang.co.kr]


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