The president of the state-run Russian Railways (RZD) says that Russia is seeking to connect the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Trans-Korean Railway.

Vladimir Yakunin attended a plenary session of the Coordinating Council on Trans-Siberian Transportation in Ukraine Thursday and then held an interview with Russia's Itar-Tass news agency.

Yakunin said that connecting the railroads would help the transportation of South Korean cargo through North Korea and via the Siberian railway.

He also remarked that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's recent visit to Russia where a summit was held to discuss a gas pipeline project has raised Russia's optimism of connecting the railways.

He said that as a high-level agreement has been reached concerning the gas pipeline, he believes there will be progress in the rail project.

He added that his company Russian Railways maintains practical and friendly relations with South and North Korean railway authorities.