Construction has begun on an immigration office for the cross-border Gyeongui railway and an adjacent road.

A government official said Friday that construction began following a ground-breaking ceremony on the Gyeongui railway linking Seoul and Shinuiju in the North.

The official said the government is aiming to complete construction on the office by the end of next year in time for the opening of the inter-Korean transportation links.

The office, to be run by the Unification Ministry, will handle the coming and going of staff, transportation and resources related to inter-Korean economic cooperation projects as well as communications between the two Koreas.