The ROK Transport Minister Kim Hyun-mee said Seoul and Pyongyang took a step forward for peace and prosperity on the peninsula as the railway and road connection across the border would have a meaning of physical connection beyond, according to Xinhua.

Following the speeches, the ROK transport minister and the DPRK railway minister had a signing event on the concrete sleeper that could be used for rails in future construction works.

The event, however, is not the actual start of construction, making the move a symbolic one as long sanctions remain in place.

Inter-Korean commercial or economic projects have been frozen due to international sanctions and the ROK's alliance with the United States.