An inter-Korean railway will open in April after undergoing a trial operation next month.

Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok announced the plan Monday in a meeting of the government and the ruling Uri Party while reporting the progress in the reconnection of cross-border railroads.

The railroad tracks of the Gyeonghui Line on the western border are complete and the construction of stations in the North is slated to wrap up next month.

Lee said he expects no significant problems in the planned Pyongyang visit in April by former President Kim Dae-jung, though the North is busily preparing to celebrate the birthday of its leader Kim Jong-il Thursday.

Ruling party lawmaker Kim Dong-chul, who visited the North last week, also quoted an official of the North's Asia-Pacific Peace Committee as confirming that the ex-president will visit Pyongyang in April.