Koreas' reconciliation railway

Soldiers will remove border fortifications

South Korea will begin restoration work on Monday on a railway link with North Korea through the world's most heavily fortified border.

The two sides agreed last month to rehabilitate the railway line between their capitals, Seoul and Pyongyang.

Thousands of soldiers will be used to demolish reinforced walls, wire and tank barriers and clear mines inside the 4km- wide Demilitarised Zone (DMZ).

The link rehabilitation is the latest in a series of moves marking a thaw in relations between the two countries since the summit between their leaders three months ago.

"Iron silk road"

South Korean President Kim Dae-jung describes the 20km railway link, which will be accompanied by a four-lane highway, as the "iron silk road".

A united flag at the Olympics

The work is expected to take about a year.

North Korea is also expected to mobilise soldiers to rebuild 8km of railway on its side of the border.

The railway in the north continues to Shinuiju, a major city on the border with China.

International network

There is strong international interest in the project.

When completed it could form the groundwork of an international railway link connecting Europe to the Far East via the Trans-Siberian railway.

The Trans-Siberian Railway could benefit from the link

Shippers in South Korea and Japan would have a faster and less expensive route to European markets.

Russian President Vladimir Putin seems eager to pursue a project that could revitalise Siberia.

Not everyone is convinced that the project is going to work.

South Korea's conservative opposition leader, Lee Hoi-chang, is boycotting Monday's opening ceremony.

He says the south is making too many concessions without corresponding moves from the north.

No representative from the north will be present at the opening ceremony.