VLADIVOSTOK, August 22 (RIA Novosti, Veronika Perminova) - A meeting of the joint Russia-North Korea Railway Commission is opening in the North Korean city of Rajin near the Russian border, a spokesman for Far-Eastern Railways said.

The meeting will focus on cargo operation and commercial issues, including the transit turnover of exported goods in the first half of 2005, along with changes to a Russia-North Korea railroad agreement and a rail schedule between the Khasan (Russia) and Tumangan (North Korea) railway stations.

"Passenger turnover between the bordering Khasan and Tumangan railroad stations in the first half of 2005 was 5315 people - a 19.4% growth year on year," the spokesman said, adding that Russia's turnover of imported goods from North Korea in the same period grew 7.2%.

Turnover of exported forest products from Russia also saw growth in the first half year, but the turnover of ferrous metals, coal, fertilizers and cars dropped, the spokesman said.