Anchor: The South Korean government is considering launching some potential inter-Korean projects in the event the icy cross-border ties improve. Some political analysts say the potential plans could be the direction Seoul is taking to lift the current punitive sanctions on inter-Korean trade and exchanges.
Our Kim Bum-soo has more.  
 
Report: South Korea says it will consider projects to repair North Korean expressways and railroads as early as this year if inter-Korean relations improve to create an appropriate environment.
 
South Korea’s Unification Ministry presented the parliamentary unification committee with such measures on Monday as details to the 2nd Basic Plan for improving inter-Korean relations.
 
The action plans are made up of 30 tasks and 96 projects to pursue ten major agendas set by the Basic Plan.
 
The ministry told the lawmakers that it could also seek a plan to repair railroads linking Gaeseong with Sinuiju and expressways between Gaeseong and Pyeongyang. 
 
Other possible projects include implementing flood prevention for the Imjin River and supporting inter-Korean maritime cooperation. 
 
The South said it could also consider resuming suspended inter-Korean trade and new cross-border economic cooperation projects depending on inter-Korean relations. Seoul also unveiled a plan to seek a joint excavation of the Goguryeo tombs under proper conditions.
 
In its report to the parliament, the unification ministry discussed establishing a high-level dialogue channel and regular high-level meetings to resolve pending issues between the two Koreas. 
 
Monday marks the first time for Seoul to present specific investment projects on North Korean infrastructure although the plans are conditioned upon “improving inter-Korean relations.”
 
The latest plans are also seen as the direction the government could follow if it decides to lift the May 24 sanction measures created in the aftermath of the sinking of the South Korean naval ship Cheonan in March 2010.
 
A ministry official said that Monday's announcement is significant as it marks the first time for Seoul to present pan-government action plans on inter-Korean relations. The official noted that 24 government organizations, including the unification ministry, jointly produced the plans.
Kim Bum-soo, KBS World Radio News.