Park Seung-won, the mayor of Gwangmyeong, emphasized on September 1 that "KTX Gwangmyeong Station will be the starting point for the Eurasian Peace Railway."
He proposed KTX Gwangmyeong Station as the launch point for a peace railway connecting the Korean Peninsula to Eurasia, aiming to expand international exchanges.
On August 26, during a meeting in Irkutsk, Russia, with Irkutsk Mayor Ruslan Nikolaevich Bolotov, Park discussed the concept of the "Eurasian Peace Railway," which would start from KTX Gwangmyeong Station and connect the Korean Peninsula to China, Mongolia, Russia, and Europe. They also explored cooperation between the two cities.
Park stated, "If the railways of the Korean Peninsula are reconnected and extend to Europe through China, Mongolia, and Russia, KTX Gwangmyeong Station could become a significant starting point for Eurasia from South Korea." He added, "The continuation of railways signifies the continuation of exchanges and meetings between people, ultimately paving the way for peace."
Park is promoting the Eurasian Peace Railway project, which aims to connect KTX Gwangmyeong Station to the Trans-Siberian Railway, linking North Korea to Vladivostok and Moscow.
This initiative is significant not only for connecting railway lines but also for expanding exchanges in various fields such as tourism, culture, youth, and the environment, laying the groundwork for future connections between the Korean Peninsula and Eurasia.
Irkutsk is a key hub on the Trans-Siberian Railway, connecting Russia with Mongolia, China, and Europe, and is rich in historical, cultural, and natural tourism resources centered around Lake Baikal.
Gwangmyeong and Irkutsk met again after exchanging a memorandum of understanding for economic and friendly exchanges in 2017, discussing ways to enhance cooperation through the peace railway.
During the meeting, both mayors discussed cooperation in tourism and cultural exchanges, as well as youth exchanges and climate and environmental initiatives.
Park plans to develop sustainable international cooperation with Eurasian cities beyond this visit, particularly by expanding exchange programs and tourism and cultural content that allow youth and citizens to participate directly, ensuring that the benefits of international exchanges reach local communities.
There is growing interest in Park's efforts to enhance Gwangmyeong's competitiveness and expand exchanges with foreign cities through KTX Gwangmyeong Station.
Citizens hope that international exchanges will lead to tangible outcomes, such as revitalizing local tourism, expanding opportunities for youth, and contributing to regional economic development.
Mayor Park emphasized, "Railways are not just a means of transportation; they are pathways connecting people and cities," and added, "We will continue to create a path of peace and exchange starting from Gwangmyeong."
In the future, Park plans to expand cooperation with major Eurasian cities, gradually establishing a foundation for international exchanges centered around KTX Gwangmyeong Station.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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