First Air Charter Between Korea and Taiwan Since 1992

A Korean Air charter with 144 passengers on board arrived in Taiwan on Friday, marking the first flight from Seoul to Taipei since two countries severed diplomatic ties in 1992.

On Dec. 21, a charter flight by Taiwan's TransAsia Airways carrying 154 passengers made its debut trip to South Korea's Yangyang on the country's east coast.

Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC) earlier decided to allow Korean Air to run charter flights between Seoul and Taipei from Dec. 27 to Feb. 21 next year, with three flights per week.

It gave the go-ahead after a short-term charter operation was approved by the South Korean government for Taiwan's TransAsia Airways and Far Eastern Air Transport for flights between Taipei and Yangyang from Dec. 22 until Feb. 18, with four flights per week.

After South Korea switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1992, Taiwan severed air links with South Korea.

Over the past 10 years, South Korea has called for the opening of nonofficial negotiations on air links, but Taipei has insisted on government-to-government talks based on ''principles of equality and reciprocity that safeguard Taiwan's dignity.''

Last Friday, Taiwan expressed hope for reopening air links, saying that with the formation of a new South Korean administration coming after last week's presidential election, it is ''the best time'' for new talks.

''I was head of the MOTC that announced the (cutting of links) 10 years ago. Now I hope that this issue can be settled when I am foreign minister,'' Foreign Minister Eugene Chien said.