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Plan to link intl. aviation routes proposed by N. Korea
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South responds by acknowledging potential restrictions posed by UN sanctions
North Korea proposed linking East and West (Yellow) Sea international aviation routes with South Korea at a working-level aviation meeting on Nov. 16. The linkage of the East and West Sea routes is drawing attention as potentially creating a new sky road providing economic benefits for both sides. “We responded that we should continue discussing the matter further through talks between aviation authorities,” the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) explained shortly after the meeting that day at the inter-Korean joint liaison office. Based on the current international aviation routes over the West Sea, aircraft traveling between South Korea and Europe must pass through Chinese airspace to avoid entering North Korea’s. In terms of the East Sea, route, aircraft traveling between the US and Russia travel through territorial airspace at some distance from North Korea. If implemented, North Korea’s proposal on Nov. 16 would mean that both sides could use North Korean airspace and areas of the West Sea adjoining North Korea for their West Sea aviation routes, while a newer international aviation route as close to North Korea as possible would be created and used for the East Sea route without requiring long detours. This would result in shorter aviation routes and a significant reduction in times and fuel costs for aircraft traveling between South Korea and Europe, the US, and Russia. The initial response from Seoul was measured. “We need to examine whether instituting new aviation routes between South and North falls under North Korea sanctions,” a MOLIT official explained, adding that the ministry “plans to discuss the North’s proposal with the relevant agencies, including the Ministries of Unification, National Defense, and Foreign Affairs.” Creating a new aviation route would require permission from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialized agency of the UN. Analysts suggested that while the route’s establishment would not in itself be in violation of international sanctions against North Korea, the fees that would have to paid when passing through North Korean airspace afterwards may be. Some observers suggested North Korea may have taken into account the possibility of airspace passage charges from aircraft when it made the proposal. The fee for passing through North Korean airspace amounts to 800,000 won (US$710) per aircraft. The administration’s position is that the idea of linking the South and North Korean East and West Sea aviation routes is worth considering, as it would translate into economic gains for international airlines in addition to South and North Korea. Sources reported that North Korea sketched out actual East and West Sea routes to show the South Korean side during the inter-Korean aviation meeting that day. Both sides agreed on the significance of the meeting as the first ever to talk place between South and North Korean aviation authorities, MOLIT said. The ministry also reported that the two sides had agreed to continue discussing matters of cooperation in all areas of aviation. First proposed by North Korea, the meeting was attended by five South Korean representatives including MOLIT Aviation Policy Office Director Son Myeong-su and five North Korean representatives including Civil Aviation General Administration Deputy Director-General Ri Yong-son. By Choi Jong-hoon, staff reporter Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]
