Gov't may loan W100 bil. for trans-Korea project
By Jun Ji-hyeThe government is considering providing a maximum of 100 billion won ($88 million) in low-interest loans to firms involved in a joint logistics project between the two Koreas and Russia, according to the Ministry of Unification, Thursday.The so-called Rajin-Khasan project is aimed at transporting bituminous coal produced in Western Siberia to South Korean firms through North Korea.An official from the ministry said on condition of anonymity, “The ministry is considering providing the loans to POSCO, Hyundai Merchant Marine and the Korea Railroad Corporation, which are planning to take part in the project.”The envisioned support is drawing attention about how it will affect inter-Korean relations.The Park Geun-hye government has said the Rajin-Khasan project is an integral part of its Eurasia initiative aimed at connecting roads and railways for the construction of a multi-purpose logistics networks among Eurasian nations.Embarked on in 2008, Pyongyang and Moscow have been refurbishing a railway between the Russian border town of Khasan and the North’s p
