Andy Tebay

SOUTH Korea’s national train operator Korail unveiled a full-size mock-up of a driving vehicle from its forthcoming EMU-250 high-speed train at Yongsan station in Seoul on May 24.

KOREAN national train operator Korail successfully tested a 1.2km-long 80-wagon freight train between Busan New Port and Jillye station on May 18.

THE Korean city of Busan expanded its metro network on April 20 with the opening of the southern extension of Line 1, which connects the previous south-western terminus at Sinpyeong with Dadaepo Beach.

Soon-man Hong was appointed CEO of Korail in May 2016, and is currently overseeing the expansion of services ahead of the 2018 Winter Olympics and in response to a new direct competitor. Hong is also committed to introducing new technologies across all areas of operation, as he reveals to Andy Tebay in Seoul.

KOREA’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (Molit) announced on April 4 that it is moving ahead with plans to build Seoul's next generation city-wide urban rail network, the Great Train eXpress (GTX).

THE Korean Ministry for Land, Infrastructure and Transport (Molit) announced on January 6 that non-stop trains between Seoul and Busan would be making a comeback in June or July this year.

THE Donghae Line in Busan, Korea, opened on January 3, bringing the total number of lines on Busan’s metro network to six.

SOUTH KOREA’s national railway operator, Korail, announced on December 30 that it has signed a Won 260bn ($US 216m) contract to purchase 84 high-speed EMU-250 units from Hyundai Rotem.

DAEGU City announced on December 13 that it had completed the basic design of the new Seodaegu KTX station to be built in western Daegu after it was approved by the Korean Ministry of Land Transportation.

KORAIL subsidiary Supreme Railways launched commercial services on the Suseo high-speed line on December 9, providing a much-needed rail link for the south-eastern areas of Seoul and Gyeonggi province under the Super Rapid Train (SRT) brand.