By Brian Han

South Korea, North Korea and Russia are making an attempt at improving trilateral relations by working together to bring 120,000 tons of coal into the South.

The plan includes taking the coal from Russia, moving it through the North Korean port city Rajin, and finally transporting the haul to South Korea.

If the goods were moved entirely over land, there would be no other option but to travel through the North. But the second leg of the process will be handled by cargo ships, making it clear the countries are putting an emphasis on politics and not just trade.

After Russia drops its load in North Korea, state train operator Korail Corp. will move it further south down the peninsula the Unification Ministry said Friday according to Yonhap.

The U.S. recently expressed its desire to open a dialogue with the North with the hopes of getting the country to abandon its nuclear weapons projects.

Other countries in the Pacific rim have vocalized their alignment with these particular interests, and South Korea’s latest economic cooperation could help warm relations while further opening up the possibility of talks with the North.