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Members of the civic group Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea rally in front of the US Embassy in Seoul to protest the UN Command’s refusal to grant permission for inter-Korean joint inspections of North Korean railways. (Lee Jong-keun

On Aug. 31, the Unification Ministry reiterated that a planned inter-Korean joint inspection of the North Korean section of the Gyeongui railroad line that was blocked by the UN Command is not subject to sanctions against North Korea. In addition, the Ministry is planning to reorganize the inspection after consultation with the North.

“The joint inspection of the inter-Korean railway doesn’t fall under the sanctions. We’re in close communication with the US and other parts of the international community in regard to all pressing matters related to inter-Korean relations,” said Lee Yu-jin, deputy spokesperson for the Unification Ministry.

“At the moment, we’re still in consultation with the US and North Korea in regard to the joint inspection. When our preparations are complete, we’ll discuss another date with North Korea and announce that once the date has been confirmed,” Lee added.

From Aug. 22 to 27, the South Korean government drew up a plan for a joint inspection in which a South Korean locomotive and passenger and cargo cars would depart from Seoul Station and pass through Kaesong to Sinuiju. But when the government asked the UN Command for permission to pass the military demarcation line (MDL), the UN Command refused, reportedly citing the violation of specific regulations and asking for “additional information.”

Interestingly, the additional information requested by the UN Command reportedly went beyond the normal level and included the entire plan for the joint inspection. This has prompted criticism that the US government is exploiting the UN Command to sabotage inter-Korean cooperation projects amid a lack of clear progress in its continuing denuclearization talks with North Korea.

In addition to this, South Korean Vice Minister of Unification Chun Hae-sung reportedly met with Vincent Brooks, Commander of the UN Command and US Forces in Korea, on Aug. 22 to explain matters related to the inter-Korean joint railroad inspection. During the meeting, Chun “exchanged views about the entirety of inter-Korean relations, including the on-site railroad inspection,” Lee said.

In regard to reports in some newspapers that the UN Command denied approval because South Korea had planned for the train to carry diesel fuel into North Korea, Lee said, “I can’t specifically confirm the list of items being taken out or brought back. Our position is to move forward with the joint railroad inspection through close consultation with related countries within the framework of sanctions on North Korea.”

As for the inter-Korean joint liaison office that the government of South Korean President Moon Jae-in had sought to open in mid-August, Lee said, “At the moment, South and North Korea are continuing to discuss timing for opening the liaison office. I think we’ll have to keep an eye on the situation a little longer.”

When asked about plans to hold working-level talks to prepare for the third inter-Korean summit, which is slated for September, Lee said, “The date for the working-level talks hasn’t been decided yet. I’m told that we’re still discussing that with North Korea.”

By Kim Ji-eun, staff reporter

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