High-speed rail in South Korea

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High-speed rail service in South Korea began with the construction of a high-speed line from Seoul to Busan in 1992, and was inspired by Japan's Shinkansen. The first commercial high-speed rail service was launched on 1 April 2004. Currently, South Korea hosts two high-speed rail operators: Korea Train eXpress (KTX) and Super Rapid Train (SRT).

Contents

Types of railways

High-speed railway lines in South Korea High-speed Railway Lines in South Korea.png
High-speed railway lines in South Korea

The Railway Service Act [1] is the primary Korean law that codifies and defines the three types of railway lines. It states that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport should designate track lines and announce them before their commercial operation. [2] [3] There are three types of railway lines.

Korail Gyeongbu HSR Line.svg Korail Honam HSR Line.png SRT Suseopyeongtaek HSR Line.png

Types of trains

The Railway Service Act and its enforcement bodies categorize high-speed trains into three types as mentioned below. [4] [5] [6]

Lines in service

Lines generally start in Seoul and end in either the southwest or southeast area of the country. Seoul has three main KTX stations (Seoul Station, Yongsan Station, and Cheongnyangni Station). Seoul Station is mainly for the Gyeongbu and Gyeongjeon lines; Yongsan Station is mainly for the Honam and Jeolla lines; and Cheongnyangni Station for the Gangneung line. Additionally, Suseo station in southeast Seoul serves the SRT.

Only a few KTX trains use conventional lines to serve select stations such as Suwon, Gupo, and Nonsan. These trains are slower but more cost-efficient.

Some KTX trains proceed north from Seoul to Haengshin. [7]

Services

KTX and SRT network map in January 2021 KTX linemap en.svg
KTX and SRT network map in January 2021

By operators

KTX

KTX was the first high-speed rail service in South Korea, and is operated by Korail. The KTX-Sancheon line uses newly-built trains, which have improved seats and power plugs for each seat. KTX-I trains have fewer power plugs between the windows. There is no extra fare to ride on the KTX-Sancheon line.

Most KTX trains leave from Seoul Station or Yongsan Station and terminate in the cities of Busan, Gwangju, Mokpo, Yeosu, Gangneung and Jinju. Most major cities are served in between.

The KTX train is regarded as an easier, more comfortable, and cheaper way to get around South Korea than by air, particularly when factoring in the complications of security and getting to/from the airport. Ticket prices are slightly below the equivalent fare of the major airlines. The weekday Standard Class price from Seoul to Busan is around 57,000.

There are three types of KTX seat classes: First, Superior, and Standard. First-class has wider seats, free snacks, and bottled water. There are only First and Standard seats in KTX-I and KTX-Sancheon and there are only Superior and Standard seats in KTX-Eum.

The KTX service only runs domestically, although many hope that one day it could run through North Korea and onto the rest of Asia. Plans by South Korea and China to connect their networks through North Korea are unlikely to ever be fulfilled because of the North Korea's political rivalry with South Korea.

SRT

The SRT starts at Suseo station, located in southeastern Seoul, and is operated by SR. The line serves the same route as Gyeongbu and Honam KTX after Cheonanasan. It uses a separate booking system and app despite using the same trains. Offline tickets can be purchased from the Korail counters, similar to the regular KTX. It is slightly cheaper and more convenient to go to the district of Gangnam in Seoul. Most of the services by Korail such as the Korail pass will not be applied and there are fewer scheduled trains as well.

By region

Future rail lines

High-speed rail lines under construction in South Korea.png Planned High-speed rail Lines in South Korea.png
High-speed railway lines
under construction
Planned high-speed railway lines

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seoul Station</span> Major train stop in South Korea

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gyeongjeon Line</span> Railway line serving South Gyeongsang and South Jeolla Provinces in South Korea

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suseo Station</span> Station of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saemaeul-ho</span> Class of passenger train

The Saemaeul-ho, formerly known as the Saemaul-ho and Saemaul Express, is a class of train operated by Korail, the national railroad of South Korea, since February 8, 1969. Before the introduction of the KTX express trains, the Saemaeul-ho was the fastest class of trains in South Korea, making the journey from Seoul to Busan in less than 5 hours. Saemaeul trains operated on several lines, but they now only operate on the Janghang Line.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheonan–Asan station</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gyeongbu high-speed railway</span> Major Seoul-Busan transport link in South Korea

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honam high-speed railway</span> Railway line in South Korea

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Osong station</span> Major train hub in South Korea

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTX-Sancheon</span> High-speed train developed by South Korea

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTX-I</span> High speed train

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Rapid Train</span> South Korea high-speed rail service

The Super Rapid Train, often known as SRT, is a high-speed rail service operated by SR Corporation. The service starts at Suseo station in southeast Seoul and terminates at either Busan station or Mokpo station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ITX-Saemaeul</span> South Korean train

The Intercity Train eXpress-Saemaeul abbreviated as ITX-Saemaeul (Korean: ITX-새마을) is a class of train operated by Korail, the national railroad of South Korea, it was introduced on May 12, 2014, to replace the Saemaeul-ho. The new ITX-Saemaeul trains have a faster average speed of 150 kilometers per hour. The name was taken from the Saemaul Undong after a public competition to determine the new train's name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suseo–Pyeongtaek high-speed railway</span> South Korean railway line

The Suseo–Pyeongtaek high-speed railway, also known as Suseo–Pyeongtaek HSR, is a high-speed rail line from Suseo station in southeast Seoul to a junction with the existing Gyeongbu high-speed railway in South Korea. The line was built to ensure southeast Seoul and southern Gyeonggi-do have high-speed rail connections.

References

  1. 철도사업법. South Korea National Assembly, Korea Law Translation Center. 22 December 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  2. 철도사업법 시행규칙 (in Korean). MOLIT. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  3. 철도 노선 및 역의 명칭 관리지침 (in Korean). MOLIT. 11 November 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  4. 철도사업법. South Korea National Assembly, Korea Law Translation Center. 22 December 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  5. 철도사업법 시행규칙 (in Korean). MOLIT. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  6. 철도 노선 및 역의 명칭 관리지침 (in Korean). MOLIT. 11 November 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  7. "Trains".
  8. "Trains".