It has been revealed that an official of the German Embassy in Pyongyang and a Korean American professor who teaches at a college in Pyongyang were among 250 passengers of the “Eurasia Express.” 

Mr. Jan Rolf Janowski and Professor Lee Byung-moo of Pyongyang University of Science and Technology held a news conference at a hotel in Irkutsk, Russia on Sunday as the limited express made a stop midway to its trip to Germany.

Janowski who served over the last three years as a second secretary at the German embassy in the North Korean capital told reporters that he joined the 20-day cross continental trip because he wanted to act as a bridge between the two Koreas.

The German government employee said that he hoped to become a small link between the two Koreas as the North cannot directly participate in the Eurasia Initiative.

During the news conference, Korean American professor Lee said that he joined the journey as he wanted to give information on North Korean students to young people of South Korea so that they can understand each other.

The professor, however, said that he would not tell his North Korean students about the trip when he returns as professors are not supposed to discuss personal matters to students.

Over 200 South Koreans and foreigners last week embarked on the train trip from Asia to Europe in hopes that it will be a step towards re-linking the broken railway between the two Koreas. Seoul's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which organized the event with Korea Railroad, said it expects the project will promote connectivity between Asia and Europe and provide the opportunity to inform the world of South Korea’s hope to usher in a new Eurasia era.