S. Korea to develop bullet train with maximum speed of 500km/h

A state-run think tank said on Jan. 23 that it will begin the process of developing a new high-speed train with a maximum speed of 500 kilometers per hour this year.

The Korea Institute of Construction and Transportation Technology Evaluation and Planning said it will spend about 400 billion won (US$375 million) in 2013 to carry out 10 research and development (R&D) projects, including the development of technologies for the new bullet train, named the "HEMU-500X." HEMU stands for high-speed electric multiple unit.

The bullet train will be faster than the HEMU-430X with a maximum speed of 430 kilometers per hour that has undergone test runs since last year.

Park Sae-jin swatchsjp@ajunews.com