South and North Korea have completed their survey of the waterways along their east coast border.
The plan is for these parts of the Han River estuary... to be opened up in the future for use by civilians.
Kim Mok-yeon reports.
South Korea's defense ministry and the ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on Sunday that after 35 days the two Koreas have finished their survey of some 660 square kilometers at the mouth of the Han River.
The survey was a follow-up to the inter-Korean military agreement signed in September.
The oceans ministry emphasized the importance of the survey, the first one South and North have ever done of the area, and it said the 20 member-team was able to find a waterway deep enough for vessels to pass through safely.
They found and measured 21 reefs that could get in the way of passing boats.
The Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency plans to study the results of the survey and publish the initial version of a map of the waters by January 25th.
They're also planning to release the map for use by private vessels once the government approves it.
The oceans ministry says it hopes the findings will make it possible for both Koreas to use the Han River estuaries... to which access has been restricted because of military tensions.
The South Korean defense ministry also promised to guarantee the safety of private vessels passing through the area by working closely with its counterpart in the North.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News.