South Korean Ambassador to Russia, Lee Jae-chun, says South Korea will offer assistance to North Korea in building a cross-border railway should it make such a request.

Lee said the construction of the southern section of the railway alone costs 87 billion won. He said, however, the benefits of the railway far outweighs the construction cost.

He said if the Kyongui railway is linked to the trans-Siberian railroad, it will substantially cut down transportation between Korea and Europe and also spur development of the Far Eastern region.

Lee said when the construction is completed, the railway will facilitate transportation of food aid from South Korea and transport 400,000 tons of cargo shipped annually to North Korea on sea routes.

Lee was interviewed by Russia's influential daily, Izvestia.