From the Daily NK:
Kang Jae Hyok
10/19/2006
An inside source in North Korea told the Daily NK that operation of the railroads near Kilju area, where the U.S. and South Korean authorities suspected the nuclear test was conducted, was stopped due to fractures on the tunnels after the test.
And it is also informed that the cement sent by South Korea as part of the economic aid package was used to repair the cracked tunnels, indirectly contributing the nuclear test.
The source told the Daily NK in a telephone interview on Wednesday that “Railroad from Kilju to Baekam stopped carrying trains. And repair operation in the tunnels on the line started.” He said the train operation was interrupted because of fractures inside of tunnels, created after the nuclear test.
North Korean railroad tunnels are constructed strong enough to sustain shocks from trains moving through and earthquakes. Also tunnels are designed to provide shelters for trains in case of emergency.
According to the source, currently there are many tunnels in the Kilju area under repair and the cement aided by South Korea for reconstruction of flood damage is being used to repair the tunnels.
Kilju is located in the southernmost part of North Hamkyung Province. In the north, it borders with Ryangkang Province along the Mt. Mantap, which is indicated to be the site of nuclear test this month.
Also, Kilju is a transportation center at which railroads and highways cross; railroads include Pyong-Ra line from Pyongyang to Rajin, the northernmost port city in NK, and the Youth Baekdu line from Kilju to Hyesan. Near the Kilju station, there are many tunnels. In each railroad tunnel, KPA Railroad Guard is on sentry 24/7, and strangers are forbidden to enter into tunnels. The Railroad Guard is part of KPA organization and under authority of the National Security Agency, because Kim Jong-Il habitually rides train when inspecting the provinces.
