North and South Korea agreed on Tuesday to modernize and connect railway systems between the two countries on both the east and west coasts of the Peninsula and to commence the project “at the earliest possible date,” a joint statement read.

The press statement was issued after Seoul and Pyongyang concluded working-level talks on inter-Korean railway cooperation, which kicked off at 1000 local time at the Peace House on the southern side of Panmunjom.

The two Koreas agreed to “carry out the connection and modernization of the Donghae and Gyeongui railways at a high level,” according to the statement. The