South Korea rail project amid North Korea tensions

South Korea is reviving the South Korea — Woljeong-ri station rail project near the DMZ as a symbol of reconciliation with North Korea, but the initiative is overshadowed by recent tensions. US President Donald Trump scaled back military drills with South Korea, called them 'inappropriate and hostile', and berated Seoul for not supporting his war against Iran. He also said he would meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In response, North Korea fired about 10 short-range ballistic missiles, and Kim Yo Jong mocked Seoul's 'master-servant' relationship with Washington. These events have sidelined South Korea, whose President Lee Jae Myung pursues a dovish policy toward the North. The rail project, which stalled in 2016 after North Korea's fourth nuclear test, is seen by many as impractical under current circumstances, but Seoul pursues it unilaterally to maintain engagement and boost border tourism.