SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) - South Korea has finished the development of a next-generation bullet train designed to operate at 370 kilometers per hour, the transport ministry said Monday. The achievement positions South Korea as the world's second-fastest rail operator, after China, to operate commercial rail services at speeds exceeding 350 kilometers per hour.
Finalized under a four-year national research and development program, the project focused on the EMU-370. This electric multiple unit is built for a commercial speed of 370 kilometers per hour and a maximum design limit of 407 kilometers per hour. Manufacturing is slated to begin in 2026, with trial runs expected by 2030 and full commercial service following in 2031.
The leap in speed moves South Korea ahead of other major rail markets like France, Germany, and Japan, which typically top out at around 320 kilometers per hour. China remains the leader, currently testing a 400 kilometers per hour model for a 2027 launch.
The Korea Railroad Research Institute led the 22.5 billion won ($15.2 million) initiative, backed by 18.0 billion won in government funding. Engineers used the existing KTX-Cheongryong platform as a baseline, introducing upgrades to handle the intense aerodynamic resistance and vibration of ultra-high-speed travel.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport reported that the EMU-370 features a 47.4 percent increase in motor output and a 12.3 percent reduction in running resistance. These changes, along with a 30 percent reduction in lateral vibration, are expected to significantly improve ride quality.
Officials noted that the EMU-370 could eventually link major cities within a one-hour travel window. For instance, the travel time from Seoul to Busan could be reduced from the current 2 hours and 17 minutes to approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Beyond domestic use, the government is targeting export opportunities in markets like Vietnam and Poland, where new networks are being planned for speeds of 350 kilometers per hour or higher.
"The completion of this project marks a milestone, coming two decades after South Korea introduced high-speed rail," Vice Minister Kang Hee-up said.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport intends to continue its research into third-generation rail technology with an ultimate goal of reaching 400 kilometers per hour in operational speed.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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