View source for KTX

{{Short description|High-speed rail system of South Korea}}
{{distinguish|High-speed rail in South Korea}}
{{copy edit|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name            = KTX
| color           = 204080
| logo            = KTX logo.svg
| logo_width      = 100px 
| image           = KTX-Sancheon.jpg
| image_width     = 300px 
| caption         = A [[KTX-Sancheon]] arriving
| type            = {{hlist|[[Inter-city rail|Inter-city]]|[[high-speed rail]]}}
| status          = Operating
| locale          = [[South Korea]]
| predecessor     = 
| first           = {{Start date and age|2004|4|1|df=y}}
| last            = 
| successor       = 
| operator        = [[Korail]]
| website         = 
| line_used       = 
| class           = {{hlist|First class|Superior class|Standard class}}
| access          = Fully accessible
| autorack        = 
| catering        = Yes
| entertainment   = Yes
| baggage         = Yes
| otherfacilities = 
| stock           = {{ubl|[[KTX-I]]|[[KTX-Sancheon]] Class 110000|KTX-Sancheon Class 140000|[[KTX-Eum]]|[[KTX-Cheongryong]]}}
| gauge           = {{RailGauge|sg}} [[Standard gauge]]
| el              = [[25 kV AC railway electrification|25 kV/60 Hz]] [[overhead catenary]]
| speed           = Up to {{convert|305|kph|mph|abbr=on}}
| map             = [[File:KTX_linemap_en.svg|300px]]
| map_name        = 
| map_state       = 
| module          = {{Infobox Korean name/auto|child=yes|headercolor=#efefef
| hangul          = ^한국_고속_철@도<!--pronounced [철또]-->
| hanja           = 韓國高速鐵道
}}
}}
'''KTX''' ('''Korea Train eXpress''', {{korean|한국고속철도}}) is the first [[high-speed rail in South Korea|high-speed rail system in South Korea]], and is operated by [[Korail]]. Construction began on the high-speed line from [[Seoul]] to [[Busan]] in 1992. KTX services were launched on April 1, 2004.

The KTX services now radiate from [[Seoul Station]] toward destinations across the nation, competing against [[Super Rapid Train|SRT]] services from Suseo station, except [[Jungbunaeryuk Line]] which depart from [[Pangyo station]].

The current maximum operating speed for trains in regular service is {{Convert|305|km/h|mph|abbr=on|0}}, though the infrastructure is designed for {{Convert|350|km/h|mph|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}.

The [[KTX-I|initial rolling stock]] was based on [[Alstom]]'s [[SNCF TGV Réseau|TGV Réseau]], and was partly built in Korea. The domestically developed [[HSR-350x]], which achieved {{Convert|352.4|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} in tests, resulted in a second type of high-speed trains now operated by Korail, the [[KTX-Sancheon]], which entered into commercial service in 2010.

The next generation experimental [[electric multiple unit]] prototype, [[HEMU-430X]], achieved {{Convert|421.4|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} in 2013, making South Korea the world's fourth country after Japan, France and China to develop a [[high-speed train]] running on conventional rail above {{Convert|420|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. It was further developed into commercialised variants, namely [[KTX-Eum]] and [[KTX-Cheongryong]], with respective maximum service speeds of {{Convert|260|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} and {{Convert|320|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, which entered into KTX services in 2021 and 2024, respectively.

==History==
===Initial planning===
The Seoul–Busan axis is Korea's main traffic corridor. In 1982, it represented 65.8% of South Korea's population, a number that grew to 73.3% by 1995, along with 70% of freight traffic and 66% of passenger traffic. With both the [[Gyeongbu Expressway]] and [[Korail]]'s [[Gyeongbu Line]] congested as of the late 1970s, the government saw the pressing need for another form of transportation.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=11}}

The first proposals for a second Seoul–Busan railway line originated from a study prepared between 1972 and 1974 by experts from France's [[SNCF]] and the Japan Railway Technical Service on a request from the [[International Bank for Reconstruction and Development|IBRD]].{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|pp=13–14}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Major Projects Overseas - I-K |url=http://www.jarts.or.jp/project/project_i.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722121425/http://www.jarts.or.jp/project/project_i.html |archive-date=2011-07-22 |access-date=2010-08-26 |publisher=Japan Railway Technical Service}}</ref> A more detailed 1978–1981 study by [[KAIST]], focusing on the needs of freight transport, also came to the conclusion that separating long-distance passenger traffic on a high-speed passenger railway would be advisable, and it was adopted in the following Korean [[Five-year plans of South Korea|Five Year Plan]].{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=14}}

During the subsequent years, several feasibility studies were conducted for a high-speed line that aimed to reduce the travel time between Seoul and Busan to just 1 hour and 30 minutes. These studies yielded positive results. In 1989, after receiving the green light for the project, the necessary institutions were established to oversee its preparation. These institutions included the Gyeongbu High Speed Electric Railway & New International Airport Committee and the High Speed Electric Railway Planning Department, which was later renamed the HSR Project Planning Board. By 1990, the planned travel time between Seoul and Busan had been reduced to 1 hour and 51 minutes, and the project was scheduled to be completed by August 1998.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=42}} and costs were estimated at 5.85 trillion [[South Korean won]] (₩){{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=42}} in 1988 prices, 4.6 trillion of which were to be spent on infrastructure, the remainder on rolling stock.{{sfn|Suh|2000|p=56}}

As planning progressed, the Korea High Speed Rail Construction Authority (KHSRCA) was established in March 1992 as a separate body with its own budget responsible for the project.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=15}} In the 1993 reappraisal of the project, the completion date was pushed back to May 2002, and cost estimates grew to ₩10.74 trillion.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=42}}{{sfn|Suh|2000|p=56}} 82% of the cost increase was due to a 90% increase in unit costs in the construction sector, mostly labour costs but also material costs,{{sfn|Suh|2000|p=62}} and the remainder due to alignment changes.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=42}}{{sfn|Suh|2000|p=62}} To finance the project, the option of a [[build-operate-transfer]] (BOT) franchise was rejected as too risky.{{sfn|Suh|2000|p=61}} Funding included direct government grants (35%), government (10%) and foreign (18%) loans, domestic bond sales (31%) and private capital (6%).{{sfn|Suh|2000|p=58}}

===Construction of Gyeongbu high-speed line===
====Start of construction====
{{Main|Gyeongbu high-speed railway}}
KHSRCA started construction of the Seoul–Busan [[Gyeongbu high-speed railway]] (Gyeongbu HSR) on June 30, 1992, on the {{Convert|57|km|mi|abbr=on}} long section from [[Cheonan]] to [[Daejeon]], which was intended for use as test track.{{sfn|Suh|2000|p=56}}

Construction started before the choice of the main technology supplier, thus alignment design was set out to be compatible with all choices.{{sfn|Suh|2000|p=56}} Of the planned {{Convert|411|km|mi|abbr=on}} line, {{Convert|152.73|km|mi|abbr=on}} would be laid on bridges, and another {{Convert|138.68|km|mi|abbr=on}} in tunnels.{{sfn|Suh|2000|p=56}} However, plans were changed repeatedly,{{sfn|Suh|2000|pp=56–57}} in particular those for city sections, following disputes with local governments,{{sfn|Suh|2000|p=60}} while construction work suffered from early quality problems.<ref name="tcibadquality">{{cite news |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/02/17/2009021761037.html |title=KTX Is a Disaster Waiting to Happen |newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |date=2009-02-17 |access-date=2010-08-28}}</ref> Planned operating speed was also reduced from {{Convert|350|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} to the {{Convert|300|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} maximum of high-speed trains on the market.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=42}} Three competitors bid for the supply of the core system, which included the rolling stock, [[Overhead wires|catenary]] and signalling:{{sfn|Suh|Yang|Lee|Ahn|2005|p=176}} consortia led by GEC-Alsthom, today [[Alstom]], one of the builders of France's [[TGV]] trains; [[Siemens]], one of the builders of Germany's [[Intercity-Express|ICE]] trains; and [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]], one of the builders of Japan's [[Shinkansen]] trains.<ref name="ON2004">{{cite news|url=http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=160300&rel_no=1 |title=Korea Catches Its A-Train, KTX |date=2004-03-31 |work=[[OhmyNews]] |access-date=2010-08-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229150906/http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=160300&rel_no=1 |archive-date=2012-02-29 }}</ref> In 1994, the alliance of GEC-Alsthom and its Korean subsidiary Eukorail were chosen as winner.<ref name="alstom2004">{{cite web|url=http://www.alstom.com/news-and-events/press-releases/KTX-opens-for-commercial-service-20040401/ |title=KTX opens for commercial service |date=2004-04-01 |publisher=Alstom |access-date=2010-12-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615193143/http://www.alstom.com/news-and-events/press-releases/KTX-opens-for-commercial-service-20040401/ |archive-date=2011-06-15 }}</ref>

The technology was almost identical to that found on the high-speed lines of France's TGV system.<ref name="pandrolKTX">{{cite web |url=http://www.pandrol.co.kr/bbs/view.php?id=eng_bbs&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=name&desc=asc&no=3 |title=Current Status of Korean High-Speed Rail Project |date=2003-02-27 |publisher=[[Pandrol]] |access-date=2010-08-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722134558/http://www.pandrol.co.kr/bbs/view.php?id=eng_bbs&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=name&desc=asc&no=3 |archive-date=2011-07-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Track-related design specifications included a design speed of {{Convert|350|km/h|mph|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} and [[standard gauge]].<ref name="irjMar2004">{{cite journal|title=Korea fulfils a high-speed dream |first=Mike |last=Knutton |journal=[[International Railway Journal]] |date=March 2004 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQQ/is_3_44/ai_114629912/ |access-date=2010-11-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060508124425/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQQ/is_3_44/ai_114629912 |archive-date=2006-05-08 }}</ref>

====Phase 1: Seoul–Daegu segment and conventional line upgrades====
{{See also|Gyeongbu Line#Upgrade|l1=Upgrade of the Gyeongbu|Honam Line#Upgrade|l2=Honam Lines}}
Following the [[1997 Asian financial crisis]], the government decided to realise the Gyeongbu HSR in two phases.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=15}} In a first phase, two-thirds of the high-speed line between the southwestern suburbs of Seoul and [[Daegu]] would be finished by 2004, with trains travelling along the parallel conventional line along the rest of the Seoul–Busan route.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=42}} The upgrade and electrification of these sections of the Gyeongbu Line was added to the project,{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|pp=15–16, 42}} and also the upgrade and electrification of the [[Honam Line]] from Daejeon to Mokpo, providing a second route for KTX services.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|pp=16, 26}} The budget for the first phase was set at ₩12,737.7 billion, that for the entire project at ₩18,435.8 billion in 1998 prices.{{sfn|Suh|2000|p=57}} While the share of government contributions remained unchanged, the share of foreign loans, domestic bond sales and private capital changed to 24%, 29% and 2%.{{sfn|Suh|2000|pp=57–58}}

The infrastructure and rolling stock were created in the framework of a technology transfer agreement, which paired up Korean companies with core system supplier Alstom and its European subcontractors for different subsystems.{{sfn|Suh|2000|pp=58–59}}<ref name="s2">{{cite web|url=http://www.sncf-international.net/upl/file/FP_Coree-du-Sud_GB.pdf |title=SNCF International in South Korea |date=May 2008 |publisher=SNCF |access-date=2010-08-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724071143/http://www.sncf-international.net/upl/file/FP_Coree-du-Sud_GB.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-24 }}</ref><ref name="SYSTRA-KTX">{{cite web |url=http://systraasia.com/upload/project/20090105030355.pdf |title=Republic of Korea Seoul-Busan |publisher=[[Systra|SYSTRA]] |access-date=2010-08-30 |archive-date=2011-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716181416/http://systraasia.com/upload/project/20090105030355.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Alstom's part of the project amounted to US$2.1 billion<ref name="irjMar2004"/> or €1.5 billion.<ref name="alstom2004"/>
[[Image:Miryang KTX.jpg|thumb|KTX train approaches [[Miryang station]], on the non-high-speed Daegu–Busan section]]
Well ahead of the opening of the Gyeongbu HSR for regular service, in December 1999, {{Convert|34.4|km|mi|abbr=on}} of the test section, later extended to {{Convert|57|km|mi|abbr=on}}, was finished to enable trials with trains.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=15}} After further design changes, the high-speed tracks were finished over a length of {{Convert|223.6|km|mi|abbr=on}}, with {{Convert|15.0|km|mi|abbr=on}} of interconnections to the conventional Gyeongbu Line, including at a short interruption at Daejeon.<ref name="TCI_overview2005">{{cite news|url=http://file.chosun.com/cp/press/files/200501/%BA%B8%B5%B5%C0%DA%B7%E1J20050103004.pdf |title=KTX 이용고객 2천만명 돌파 |date=2005-01-02 |newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-10-31 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The high-speed section itself included {{Convert|83.1|km|mi|abbr=on}} of viaducts and {{Convert|75.6|km|mi|abbr=on}} of tunnels.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722140333/http://transport.mltm.go.kr/USR/WPGE0201/m_1241/DTL.jsp |archive-date=2011-07-22 |url=http://transport.mltm.go.kr/USR/WPGE0201/m_1241/DTL.jsp |script-title=ko:철도시설/차량 > 철도교량ㆍ터널ㆍ옹벽 현황 |language=ko |date=2009-12-31 |publisher=Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs |access-date=2011-01-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Conventional line electrification was finished over the {{Convert|132.8|km|mi|abbr=on}} across Daegu and on to Busan, the {{Convert|20.7|km|mi|abbr=on}} across Daejeon, and the {{Convert|264.4|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Daejeon to Mokpo and Gwangju.<ref name="electrification">{{cite web |url=http://www.epic.or.kr/cont/yearbook/download/yearbook_chap07_3.pdf |title=Electricity Almanac 2009 |publisher=Korea Electric Association |access-date=2010-10-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314033522/http://www.epic.or.kr/cont/yearbook/download/yearbook_chap07_3.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After 12 years of construction and with a final cost of ₩12,737.7 billion,<ref name="han-phase2"/> the initial KTX system with the first phase of the Gyeongbu HSR went into service on April 1, 2004.<ref name="overview">{{cite web |title=Introduction of KTX |url=http://info.korail.com/2007/eng/ein/ein01000/w_ein01100.jsp |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-01-18}}</ref>

====Phase 2: Daegu–Busan, extra stations, urban sections====
The Daegu–Busan section of the Gyeongbu HSR became a separate project with the July 1998 project revision, with a budget of ₩5,698.1 billion, with funding from the government and private sources by the same ratios as for phase 1.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=39}} In August 2006, the project was modified to again include the Daejeon and Daegu urban area passages, as well as additional stations along the phase 1 section. For these additions, the budget as well as the government's share of the funding was increased.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|pp=37, 39}}

Construction started in June 2002. The {{Convert|128.1|km|mi|abbr=on}} line, which follows a long curve to the northeast of the existing Gyeongbu Line, includes 54 viaducts with a total length of {{Convert|23.4|km|mi|abbr=on}} and 38 tunnels with a total length of {{Convert|74.2|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="han-phase2">{{cite news |url=http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/society/201010/h2010102714525974990.htm |title=<nowiki>[KTX완전개통] 철도 '경부 대동맥' 완성(상)</nowiki> |language=ko |date=2010-10-27 |newspaper=[[Hankook Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-11-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613215831/http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/society/201010/h2010102714525974990.htm |archive-date=2011-06-13 }}</ref> The two largest structures are the {{Convert|20,323|m|ft|abbr=on}} Geomjeung Tunnel, under [[Geumjeongsan|Mount Geumjeong]] at the Busan end of the line;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ucnews.co.kr/news//news/news_view.htm?No=6461&Section=6&Part=news&PHPSESSID=58b788f660237b3c7f3eaa973fb7788a |title=국내 최장 금정터널 관통 |date=2009-02-12 |publisher=Union Construction News |access-date=2010-10-26}}</ref> and the {{Convert|13,270|m|ft|abbr=on}} Wonhyo Tunnel,<ref name="wonhyo-map-wetlands">{{cite web|url=http://www.ita-aites.org/cms/fileadmin/filemounts/general/pdf/ItaAssociation/ProductAndPublication/OpenSession/OS_2006_4SKE-C.pdf |title=Korean Risk Management Practices : a Contractor's Perspective |year=2006 |publisher=[[International Tunneling and Underground Space Association|ITA-AITES]] |work=World Tunnel Congress 2006 |access-date=2010-09-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109051907/http://www.ita-aites.org/cms/fileadmin/filemounts/general/pdf/ItaAssociation/ProductAndPublication/OpenSession/OS_2006_4SKE-C.pdf |archive-date=2009-01-09 }}</ref> under Mount Cheonseong south-west of Ulsan, which became the longest and second longest tunnels in Korea once the line opened.<ref name="tunnelcompl">{{cite web |url=http://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20100401017001 |script-title=ko:부산 금정터널 20.3km 국내 최장 |language=ko |publisher=[[Seoul Sinmun]] |date=2010-04-01 |access-date=2010-08-29}}</ref>

A long dispute concerning the environmental impact assessment of the Wonhyo Tunnel, which passes under a wetland area,<ref name="wonhyo-map-wetlands"/> caused delays for the entire project.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2005020522178&path_dir=20050205 |title=Mount Cheonseong's Background |newspaper=[[The Dong-a Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-09-02}}</ref> The dispute gained nationwide and international attention due to the repeated hunger strikes of a Buddhist nun, led to a suspension of works in 2005,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2732820 |title=Supreme Court clears the way for completing high-speed rail |date=2006-06-02 |newspaper=[[JoongAng Daily]] |access-date=2010-10-21}}</ref> and only ended with a supreme court ruling in June 2006.<ref name="tci-tunnelcourt">{{cite news |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2006/06/02/2006060261021.html |title=Supreme Court Clears Way for Mt.Cheonseong Tunnel |newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |date=2006-06-02 |access-date=2010-08-28}}</ref> With the exception of the sections across Daejeon and Daegu, the second phase went into service on November 1, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news20.busan.com/news/newsController.jsp?sectionId=1010090000&subSectionId=1010090000&newsId=20101101000145 |title=KTX 타고 서울로 생생 문화체험 떠나요 |language=ko |date=2010-11-01 |publisher=[[Busan Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-11-01}}</ref> By that time, ₩4,905.7 billion was spent out of a second phase budget, or ₩17,643.4 billion out of the total.<ref name="han-phase2"/>

The two sections across the urban areas of Daejeon and Daegu, altogether {{Convert|40.9|km|mi|abbr=on}}, will be finished by 2014.<ref name="han-phase2"/> As of October 2010, the total cost of the second phase was estimated at ₩7,945.4 billion, that for the entire project at ₩20,728.2 billion.<ref name="han-phase2"/> The last element of the original project that was shelved in 1998, separate underground tracks across the Seoul metropolitan area, was re-launched in June 2008, when an initial plan with a {{Convert|28.6|km|mi|abbr=on}} long alignment and two new stations was announced.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2008060193681&sid=0106&nid=006&ltype=1 |script-title=ko:동탄~수서 12분 걸리는 고속철 만든다 |language=ko |date=2008-06-01 |newspaper=[[The Korea Economic Daily|Hankyung]] |access-date=2010-11-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323220019/http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2008060193681&sid=0106&nid=006&ltype=1 |archive-date=2012-03-23 }}</ref>

===Early 2010s service expansion and existing lines upgrade===
{{See also|AREX#Further extensions and improvements|l1=Upgrade of the AREX|Chungbuk Line#Upgrade|l2=Chungbuk|Daegok–Sosa–Wonsi Line|l3=Daegok–Sosa–Wonsi|Daegu Line#Upgrade|l4=Daegu|Donghae Bukbu Line#Reconstruction|l5=Donghae Bukbu|Donghae Nambu Line#Upgrade|l6=Donghae Nambu|Gyeongchun Line#Upgrade|l7=Gyeongchun|Gyeongjeon Line#Upgrade|l8=Gyeongjeon|Gyeongui Line#Upgrade|l9=Gyeongui|Gyeongwon Line#Upgrade|l10=Gyeongwon|Janghang Line#Upgrade|l11=Janghang|Jeolla Line#Upgrade|l12=Jeolla|Jungang Line#Upgrade|l13=Jungang|Yeongdong Line#Upgrade|l14=Yeongdong Lines}}

The electrification and the completion of the re-alignment and double-tracking of the [[Jeolla Line]], which branches from the Honam Line at [[Iksan station|Iksan]] and continues to [[Suncheon Station|Suncheon]] and [[Yeosu]], began in December 2003, with the aim to introduce KTX services in time for the [[Expo 2012]] in Yeosu.<ref name="irjJan2007"/> The upgrade will allow to raise top speed from {{Convert|120|to|180|km/h|mph|abbr=on|0}}.<ref name="irjJul2008">{{cite journal |first=David |last=Briginshaw |url=http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/sb/irj0708/index.php?startid=23 |title=Korea's railways face a bright future |pages=23–26 |date=July 2008 |journal=International Railway Journal |access-date=2010-11-04 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202340/http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/sb/irj0708/index.php?startid=23 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="rgi-korailplans">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/south-koreas-growing-network.html |title=South Korea's growing network |date=2008-09-08 |magazine=[[Railway Gazette International]] |access-date=2010-11-04 |archive-date=2012-12-05 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205072403/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/south-koreas-growing-network.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The section of the perpendicular [[Gyeongjeon Line]] from [[Samnangjin]], the junction with the Gyeongbu Line near Busan, to Suncheon is upgraded in a similar way, with track doubling, alignment modifications and electrification for {{Convert|180|km/h|mph|abbr=on|0}}.<ref name="irjJul2008"/><ref name="rgi-korailplans"/> The until Masan was opened on December 15, 2010.<ref name="Korail-15Dec2010">{{cite web|url=http://info.korail.com/ROOT/news/board_view.jsp?boardType=BODO&bbs=bbs20&seq=6467 |title=경전선 서울~마산간 KTX 예약ㆍ예매 알림 |language=ko |date=2010-12-06 |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-12-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722192709/http://info.korail.com/ROOT/news/board_view.jsp?boardType=BODO&bbs=bbs20&seq=6467 |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref> The upgrade is to be complete until Jinju by 2012 and Suncheon by 2014.<ref name="irjJul2008"/><ref name="rgi-korailplans"/>

[[AREX]] line, which link Seoul to the city's [[Incheon Airport]], also see its speed raised from {{Convert|110|to|180|km/h|mph|abbr=on|0}} for KTX through-running service to other cities in the nation,<ref name="AREX-KTX">{{cite web |url=http://www.electimes.com/home/news/main/viewmain.jsp?news_uid=78391 |title=공항철도, KTX, 지하철 9호선과 직결 활성화 시킨다 |language=ko |date=2010-09-30 |publisher=Electimes |access-date=2010-10-30 |archive-date=2012-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301224526/http://www.electimes.com/home/news/main/viewmain.jsp?news_uid=78391 |url-status=dead }}</ref> however the through running service have been discontinued due to low usage.<ref>[https://www.hapskorea.com/busan-incheon-airport-ktx-was-canceled-due-to-lack-of-passengers/ Busan – Incheon Airport KTX Was Canceled Due to Lack of Passengers]</ref>

The [[Ulsan]]–[[Gyeongju]]–[[Pohang]] section of the [[Donghae Line]] is foreseen for an upgrade in a completely new alignment that circumvents downtown Gyeongju and connects to the [[Gyeongbu High Speed Railway]] at [[Gyeongju station|Singyeongju Station]], allowing for direct KTX access to the two cities. On April 23, 2009, the project was approved by the government and a ground-breaking ceremony was held.<ref name="pohangstatus2010"/> The altogether {{Convert|76.56|km|mi|abbr=on}} line is slated to be opened in December 2014.<ref name="pohangstatus2010">{{cite web |url=http://pohangnews.co.kr/index.cgi?action=detail&number=16095&thread=19r03 |script-title=ko:울산～포항 복선전철건설 추진현황 |language=ko |date=2010-01-26 |publisher=Pohang News |access-date=2010-08-29}}</ref>

===2nd national construction plan===
On September 1, 2010, the South Korean government announced a strategic plan to reduce travel times from Seoul to 95% of the country to under 2 hours by 2020.<ref name="plans2020">{{cite news |url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2925474 |title=Bullet trains coming to a town near you by 2020 |date=2010-09-02 |newspaper=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]] |access-date=2010-09-09}}</ref> The main new element of the plan is to aim for top speeds of {{Convert|230|–|250|km/h|mph|abbr=on|0}} in upgrades of much of the mainline network with view to the introduction of KTX services.<ref name="plans2020"/> The conventional lines under the scope of the plan include the above, already on-going projects, and their extensions along the rest of the southern and eastern coasts of South Korea, lines along the western coast, lines north of Seoul, and the second, more easterly line between Seoul and Busan with some connecting lines.<ref name="plans2020"/>

===New high speed lines in 2010s===
{{See also|Honam High Speed Railway|Suseo High Speed Railway}}
{{Update section|date=May 2025}}

====Honam HSR====
Until 2006,<ref name="tci-honam-money">{{cite news |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2006/08/23/2006082361031.html |title=High-Speed Train to Extend Southwest Route |date=2006-08-23 |newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-08-28}}</ref> the first plans for a second, separate high-speed line from Seoul to Mokpo were developed into the project of a line branching from the Gyeongbu HSR and constructed in two stages, the Honam High Speed Railway (Honam HSR).<ref name="honamplans">{{cite journal|first=Il-Ho |last=Chung |title=Plan for Honam High-Speed Railway |journal=Space and Environment |volume=25 |date=July 2006 |pages=6–8 |publisher=Korean Research Institute for Human Settlements |url=http://168.126.177.50/pub/docu/en/AD/BE/ADBE2006BAC/ADBE-2006-BAC-003.PDF |access-date=2010-08-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311002058/http://168.126.177.50/pub/docu/en/AD/BE/ADBE2006BAC/ADBE-2006-BAC-003.PDF |archive-date=2012-03-11 }}</ref> The budget for the {{Convert|185.75|km|mi|abbr=on}} first stage, from the new [[Osong Station]] on the Gyongbu HSR to [[Gwangju·Songjeong Station]], was set at ₩8,569.5 billion.<ref name="honamplans"/> The second stage, the {{Convert|48.74|km|mi|abbr=on}} remaining to Mokpo, was to be finished by 2017 with a budget of ₩2,002.2 billion.<ref name="honamplans"/> The Osong-Iksan section of the first phase is also intended for use as high-speed test track for rolling stock development, to be fitted with special catenary and instrumented track.<ref name="rgi-korailresearch">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/research-underpins-korails-drive-to-be-a-global-player.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104125046/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/research-underpins-korails-drive-to-be-a-global-player.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 4, 2013 |title=Research underpins Korail's drive to be a global player |date=2007-05-01 |magazine=Railway Gazette International |access-date=2010-11-05 }}</ref> The ground-breaking ceremony was held on December 4, 2009.<ref name="honam">{{cite news |url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2913524 |title=Railway to the future |date=2009-12-05 |newspaper=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]] |access-date=2010-08-29}}</ref> As of September 2010, progress was 9.6% of the project budget then estimated at ₩10,490.1 billion for the first phase, which was due for completion in 2014, while the estimate for the entire line stood at ₩12,101.7 billion.<ref name="KRNA_2010-H">{{cite web|url=http://www.krnetwork.or.kr/service/condition/RouteMapView.do?PA_MAP_ID=12483 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727091251/http://www.krnetwork.or.kr/service/condition/RouteMapView.do?PA_MAP_ID=12483 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-27 |title=호남고속철도 |publisher=Korea Rail Network Authority |access-date=2010-10-24 }}</ref>

====Suseo HSR====
First plans for the Honam HSR foresaw a terminus in [[Suseo station]], southeast Seoul.<ref name="honamplans"/> The branch to Suseo was re-launched as a separate project, the Suseo High Speed Railway (Suseo HSR),<ref name="suseoannounce">{{cite news |url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2914691 |title=KTX ready for big expansion in 2010 |date=2009-12-31 |newspaper=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]] |access-date=2010-08-29}}</ref> in June 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2008060193681&sid=0106&nid=006&ltype=1 |script-title=ko:동탄~수서 12분 걸리는 고속철 만든다 |language=ko |date=2008-06-01 |publisher=[[The Korea Economic Daily]] |access-date=2010-11-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323220019/http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2008060193681&sid=0106&nid=006&ltype=1 |archive-date=2012-03-23 }}</ref> Detailed design of the {{convert|61.1|km|mi|abbr=on}} line<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.mk.co.kr/outside/view.php?year=2010&no=217310 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716045722/http://news.mk.co.kr/outside/view.php?year=2010&no=217310 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-16 |script-title=ko:수도권 고속철 수서~평택 설계 착수 |language=ko |date=2010-04-28 |newspaper=[[Maeil Business Newspaper]] |access-date=2010-11-11 }}</ref> is underway since September 2010, with opening planned by the end of 2014.<ref name="hk_design-tenders">{{cite web|url=http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2010090800261&intype=1 |title=수서~평택 고속철도 수주...현대산업개발·GS건설 |language=ko |date=2010-09-08 |publisher=[[The Korea Economic Daily]] |access-date=2010-11-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323220337/http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2010090800261&intype=1 |archive-date=2012-03-23 }}</ref> For the longer term, new high-speed lines from Seoul to [[Sokcho]] on the eastern coast, and a direct branch from the Gyeongbu HSR south to [[Jinju]] and further to the coast are under consideration.<ref name="plans2020"/> In conjunction with the award of the [[2018 Winter Olympics]] to [[Pyeongchang County|PyeongChang]] in July 2011, KTX service via the eastern coast line was anticipated; the expected travel time there from Seoul is 50 minutes.

The line is currently served by [[Super Rapid Train|SRT]], not KTX.

===Future plans===
====Jeju Island====
In January 2009, [[the Korea Transport Institute]] also proposed a {{Convert|167|km|mi|abbr=on}} line from Mokpo to [[Jeju Island]], putting Jeju 2 hours 26 minutes from Seoul.<ref name="jejuproposal">{{cite news |url=http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?at_code=436629 |title=Korean Rail System May Include Longest Underwater Tunnel |date=2009-02-18 |work=[[OhmyNews]] |access-date=2010-08-29 |archive-date=2011-07-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711164445/http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?at_code=436629 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The line would include a {{Convert|28|km|mi|abbr=on}} bridge from [[Haenam]] to [[Bogil Island]] and a {{Convert|73|km|mi|abbr=on}} undersea tunnel from Bogil Island to Jeju Island (with a drilling station on [[Chuja Island]]), for an estimated cost of US$10 billion.<ref name="jejuproposal"/> As the proposal was popular with lawmakers from South Jeolla Province, the government is conducting a feasibility study, but the Jeju governor expressed skepticism.<ref name="jejutunnelsceptic">{{cite news |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/03/117_58506.html |title=Jeju {{sic|nolink=y|reason=error in source|Hesistant}} on Underground KTX Project |date=2010-01-05 |newspaper=[[The Korea Times]] |access-date=2010-08-28}}</ref> The Seoul-Jeju route is the [[World's busiest passenger air routes|world's busiest air route]] with 13.7 million passengers (2023).
<ref name="oag-busiest">{{Cite web |title=Busiest Flight Routes in the World 2023 {{!}} OAG |url=https://www.oag.com/busiest-routes-world-2023 |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=www.oag.com |language=en}}</ref> However, Jeju Gov. [[Won Hee-ryong]] opposed this plan since it would ruin the island's identity and make the Jeju economy more dependent on the mainland.<ref>{{cite news|last=Seunghun|first=Jwa|date=November 18, 2020|title=원희룡, "전남-제주 해저터널, 제주 정체성 무너뜨릴 것"|trans-title=Won Hee-ryong says "South Jeolla-Jeju undersea tunnel would destroy identity of Jeju"|url=https://www.fnnews.com/news/202011181950390220|language=Korean|work=Financial News|location=Seoul|access-date=January 25, 2021}}</ref>

==Technology==
{{Expand section|date=June 2025}}
The shock absorption design absorbs 80 percent of the shock energy when the train crashes.{{Citation needed|reason=The original source does not lead to this statement.|date=June 2025}} Automatic ventilation is installed to prevent noise from occurring when trains enter and exit the tunnel.{{Citation needed|reason=The original source does not lead to this statement.|date=June 2025}} Articulated bogies help increase ride comfort and driving safety.{{Citation needed|reason=The original source does not lead to this statement.|date=June 2025}}{{Explain|date=June 2025}}

==Rolling stock==
===KTX-I===
{{Main|KTX-I}}
[[Image:KTX (Korea Train eXpress).jpg|thumb|The TGV derived KTX-I.]]
The initial [[KTX-I]] trainsets, also known as simply KTX or as TGV-K,<ref name="irj-kim">{{cite journal |last=Kim |first=Kihwan |url=http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/sb/irj0508/index.php?startid=35 |title=Korea develops high-speed ambitions |pages=35–36 |date=May 2008 |journal=International Railway Journal |access-date=2010-11-04}}</ref> are based on the [[SNCF TGV Réseau|TGV Réseau]], but with several differences.<ref name="s2"/> 46 trains were built - the initial twelve in [[France]] by Alstom, the remainder in South Korea by [[Hyundai Rotem|Rotem]].<ref>{{cite web |title=A TGV for Korea; The parties involved |url=http://www.webmag.transport.alstom.com/eMag/externe/international/korea/ktx/mar2004/1/221.asp |date=2004-03-29 |publisher=Alstom |access-date=2010-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040407033340/http://www.webmag.transport.alstom.com/eMag/externe/international/korea/ktx/mar2004/1/221.asp |archive-date=2004-04-07}}</ref> The 20-car [[electric multiple unit]]s consist of two traction heads, which are powered end cars without passenger compartments, and eighteen articulated passenger cars, of which the two extreme ones have one motorised bogie each.<ref name="al1">{{cite web|url=http://www.webmag.transport.alstom.com/eMag/externe/international/korea/ktx/mar2004/1/_files/file_225_39190.pdf |year=2004 |title=The High Speed Rail System in Korea |publisher=Alstom |access-date=2010-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040912012842/http://www.webmag.transport.alstom.com/eMag/externe/international/korea/ktx/mar2004/1/_files/file_225_39190.pdf |archive-date=2004-09-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A KTX-I was built to carry up to 935 passengers at a regular top speed of {{Convert|300|km/h|mph|abbr=on|0}},<ref name="al1"/> later increased to {{Convert|305|km/h|mph|abbr=on|0}}.<ref name="jai-305"/>

===KTX-Sancheon===
{{Main|KTX-Sancheon}}
[[File:Korail KTX-2.jpg|thumb|The HSR-350x-derived KTX-II.]]
[[File:KTX-II coupler.jpg|thumb|Coupler at the front of the train for combined operation.]]
For less frequented relations and for operational flexibility, a 2001 study proposed a train created by scaling down the planned commercial version of the [[HSR-350x]], by shortening the train, removing powered bogies from intermediate cars, and lowering top speed.<ref name="KRRI-G7-Honam">{{cite web|url=http://library.krri.re.kr/own/rail_treatise/2001fail/20030714/8245_file_50.pdf |script-title=ko:호남고속철도 차량 시스템 설계에 관한 연구 |language=ko |year=2001 |publisher=KRRI |access-date=2010-11-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722142259/http://library.krri.re.kr/own/rail_treatise/2001fail/20030714/8245_file_50.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref>
[[Hyundai Rotem]] received orders for altogether 24 such trains, called KTX-II, in three batches from July 2006 to December 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hyundai-rotem.co.kr/Common/uFileDownload.asp?Idx=10&Fgbn=1&Brd=EngWebzine |title=Hyundai Rotem wins orders from KORAIL for commuter EMUs and further KTX-II |work=Newsletter |date=January 2009 |publisher=Hyundai Rotem |access-date=2010-11-24}}</ref>

Design speed is {{Convert|330|km/h|mph|abbr=on|0}}, and revenue service speed is {{Convert|305|km/h|mph|abbr=on|0}}.<ref name="sbs">{{cite web |url=http://news.sbs.co.kr/section_news/news_read.jsp?news_id=N1000709822 |title=(경제안테나) '3월 운행' 차세대 KTX-II 타보니 |language=ko |date=2010-02-12 |publisher=[[Seoul Broadcasting System|SBS]] |access-date=2010-02-23}}</ref> The power electronics uses newer technology than the HSR-350x, and the front is a new design, too.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kicttep.re.kr/app/notice/down.jsp?_pid=techrnd&_idx=3694&fno=4309 |script-title=ko:최신 반도체소자를 이용한 고속철도 차량용 추진제어 기술개발 |language=ko |date=November 2008 |publisher=Korea Institute of Construction & Transportation Technology Evaluation and Planning (KICTEP) |access-date=2010-11-19 }}{{dead link|date=March 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The trainsets, of which two can be coupled together, consist of two traction heads and eight articulated passenger cars, and seat 363 passengers in two classes, with enhanced comfort relative to the KTX-I.<ref name="plans2010">{{cite web |url=http://dasan.kofst.or.kr/engineering/reference/session%203/04/DSEX_2010_10_22_HSR%20Presentation%20by%20Hyundai%20rotem.ppt |title=High Speed Trains |date=October 2010 |publisher=Rotem |access-date=2010-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722141257/http://dasan.kofst.or.kr/engineering/reference/session%203/04/DSEX_2010_10_22_HSR%20Presentation%20by%20Hyundai%20rotem.ppt |archive-date=2011-07-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The domestic added value of the trains was increased to 87%, compared to 58% for the KTX-I.<ref name="RotemKTXIIrollout">{{cite web |url=http://www.rotem.co.kr/Eng/Cyber/News/newsList.asp |title=Hyundai Rotem Rolls-out World's 4th High Speed Train |date=2008-11-25 |publisher=Hyundai Rotem |access-date=2009-01-19 |archive-date=2010-10-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005170013/http://www.rotem.co.kr/Eng/Cyber/News/newsList.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> Imported parts include the pantographs,<ref name="panto">{{cite web|url=http://www.melecs.com/uploads/media/Stromabnehmer_SSS400__D_E.pdf |title=Pantograph SSS 400+ |publisher=Melecs MWW |access-date=2010-11-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714070402/http://www.melecs.com/uploads/media/Stromabnehmer_SSS400__D_E.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-14 }}</ref> semiconductors in the power electronics,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/electronics/computer-electronics-manufacturing/5247601-1.html |title=IXYS' High Power IGBTs Achieves Milestone for Performance in Fast Passenger Train... |date=2007-08-21 |publisher=[[Business Wire]], AllBusiness.com |access-date=2008-12-31}}</ref> front design,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apci.asso.fr/l_observeur_uk/realisation.php?id=1673&laureats=2008&id_participant=1412 |title=Star of the Observeur 08 |year=2008 |publisher=Agence pour la promotion de la création industrielle |access-date=2008-12-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720205849/http://www.apci.asso.fr/l_observeur_uk/realisation.php/?id=1673&laureats=2008&id_participant=1412 |archive-date=2011-07-20 }}</ref> couplers and final drives.<ref name="voith">{{cite web |url=http://www.voith.com/press/550404.htm |title=The first front ends of the new Korean High-speed train KTX II have already arrived in Korea. |date=2008-06-26 |publisher=Voith Turbo |access-date=2008-12-31}}</ref>

The train was developed on the basis of the transferred TGV technology,{{sfn|Lee|Moon|2005|p=259}} but more advanced technology was used for the new motors, power electronics and additional brake systems, while the passenger cars were made of aluminum to save weight,{{sfn|Lee|Moon|2005|p=260}} and the nose was a new design with reduced aerodynamic drag.<ref name="jrtr-ng">{{citation |last=Lee |first=Kyung Chul |title=Launch of Korean High-Speed Railway and Efforts to Innovate Future Korean Railway |journal=Japan Railway & Transport Review |issue=48 |date=May 2005 |pages=30–35 |url=http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr48/pdf/f30_Lee.pdf |access-date=2010-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613154854/http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr48/pdf/f30_Lee.pdf |archive-date=2011-06-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Test runs were conducted between 2002 and 2008,<ref name="irj-kim"/> in the course of which HSR-350x achieved the South Korean rail speed record of {{Convert|352.4|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} on December 16, 2004.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.irail.net/webzine/krt/20070802/14944_cf_171_KRT_1.pdf |title=Trans-Korean Railway |journal=Korean Rail Technology (English) |volume=1 |pages=4–5 |date=May–June 2005 |access-date=2010-11-04 |archive-date=2016-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406153231/http://www.irail.net/webzine/krt/20070802/14944_cf_171_KRT_1.pdf |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

The KTX-II was officially renamed as '''KTX-Sancheon''' ({{Korean|hangul=KTX-산천}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=100704&code=Ne2&category=2 |title=KTX-II Makes its Debut in Busan |date=2010-03-02 |publisher=[[Arirang (TV network)|Arirang]] |access-date=2010-08-28 |archive-date=2021-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128162331/http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=100704&code=Ne2&category=2 |url-status=dead }}</ref> after the [[Korean language|Korean]] name of the indigenous fish [[Oncorhynchus masou|cherry salmon]]<ref name="TCI_sancheon">{{cite news |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/02/12/2010021200305.html |title=Korea's 1st Homemade Bullet Train on Track in March |date=2010-02-12 |newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-11-07}}</ref> before the first units started commercial service on March 2, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.korail.com/main/php/search_view.php?idx=14816 |title='KTX-산천' 오늘(2일) 첫 운행 |language=ko |publisher=[[Korail]] |date=2009-03-02 |access-date=2009-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713164720/http://news.korail.com/main/php/search_view.php?idx=14816 |archive-date=2011-07-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

However within weeks of its initial launch, mechanical and design flaws began to appear, in some cases causing trains to stop running and forcing passengers to leave the train and walk back to the station, and in one particular case derailing from the tracks on February 11, 2011. Although the trains were designed to be a domestically built replacement for the French built Alstrom trains, due to over 30 malfunctions since March 2, 2010, Korail asked manufacturer Hyundai-Rotem to recall all 19 of the trains in operation after finding cracks in two anchor bands in May 2011.
<ref>[https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/05/117_86847.html KTX-Sancheon recalled after series of breakdowns]. Koreatimes.co.kr (2011-05-11). Retrieved on 2013-07-12.</ref> Following the recall, the KTX-Sancheon trains were put back in service.

In addition to the 24 initial KTX-Sancheon trains, which form the KTX-Sancheon Class 11, new batches have been ordered and delivered since, to provide service on the new [[Honam High Speed Railway|Honam]], [[Suseo High Speed Railway|Suseo]] and [[Gyeonggang Line|Gyeonggang]] lines. For the opening of the Honam HSR line, 22 trainsets, named Class 12, were delivered ahead of the 2015 opening. In addition, 10 trainsets have been delivered to provide service on the Suseo line, scheduled to open in December 2016 (Class 13), and 15 trainsets (Class 14) have been ordered for the Gyeonggang Line, which opened in late 2017 ahead of the [[2018 Winter Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/high-speed/single-view/view/hyundai-rotem-awarded-high-speed-train-contracts.html|title=Hyundai Rotem awarded high speed train contracts|first=DVV Media|last=UK|work=Railway Gazette International}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

=== KTX-Eum ===
{{Main|KTX-Eum}}
[[File:Korail KTX-Eum, Yongsan (20240404) (54220932565).jpg|thumb|A KTX-Eum train at [[Yongsan station]].]]
KTX-Eum is South Korea's first [[high-speed rail|high-speed]] [[electric multiple unit]] train, being a commercialised version of the experimental [[HEMU-430X]] previously tested by Korail. It has the maximum service speed of {{Convert|260|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} and is aimed for serving [[High-speed rail in South Korea#Type of railways|semi-high-speed railway lines]].

The KTX-Eum entered service on [[Jungang line#KTX service|Jungang Line]] on January 4, 2021, operating between electrified section of Cheongnyangni and Andong.<ref>{{cite web|title=S. Korea's high-speed electrical train 'KTX-Eum' makes commercial debut.|url=https://www.ajudaily.com/view/20210104192114611|website=[[Aju Business Daily]]|author=Lim Chang-won|date=January 4, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122035537/https://www.ajudaily.com/view/20210104192114611|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2016-05-23|title=Korail orders high-speed trains from Hyundai-Rotem|url=https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/high-speed/korail-orders-high-speed-trains-from-hyundai-rotem/|website=Railway Journal|date=23 August 2020}}</ref> It was also introduced on [[Gyeonggang Line|Gangneung Line]] since August 1, 2021, replacing KTX-Sancheon which would be redeployed to other KTX lines.<ref>{{cite web|title=8월 1일부로 경전선 KTX 증편, 수서행 KTX 운행 가능해|trans-title=From August 1st, the Gyeongjeon Line KTX service will be increased, and the KTX service bound for Suseo will be available.|url=https://news.naver.com/main/read.naver?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=277&aid=0004936860|website=Naver|publisher=Asia Economy|language=ko|author=Park Sae-yan|date=July 13, 2021|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726074541/https://news.naver.com/main/read.naver?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=277&aid=0004936860|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=무궁화호 '최후 야간열차' 폐지...강릉 가는 길은 더 쾌적|trans-title=Abolition of Mugunghwa's 'Last Night Train'&nbsp;...&nbsp;The road to Gangneung is more pleasant|url=https://news.naver.com/main/read.naver?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=047&aid=0002319732|website=Naver|publisher=[[OhmyNews]]|language=ko|author=Park Jang-sik|date=July 13, 2021|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726074538/https://news.naver.com/main/read.naver?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=047&aid=0002319732|url-status=live}}</ref> A further order of 14 six-car units was placed in December 2016, both orders are to be delivered in 2020–2021.<ref name="railwayjournal2">{{cite web|access-date=2017-01-03|title=Korail orders 84 high-speed EMUs|url=https://www.railjournal.com/regions/asia/korail-purchases-84-high-speed-emus-from-hyundai/|website=Railway Journal|date=23 August 2020}}</ref>

=== KTX-Cheongryong ===
{{Main|KTX-Cheongryong}}
[[File:Korail KTX-Cheongryong, Guro (20241103a) (54220770284).jpg|thumb|A KTX-Cheongryong train, [[Guro-gu|Guro]], Seoul.]]
KTX-Cheongryong is a sister train of KTX-Eum, but a trainset consists of eight cars as opposed to six cars.<ref name="korailsurvey">{{cite web|title=Notice - Power Dispersion High Speed Vehicle Design Preference Survey (~9.15)|url=http://info.korail.com/mbs/www/jsp/board/view.jsp?spage=1&boardId=9863273&boardSeq=14466865&mcategoryId=&id=www_040500000000|website=[[Korail]]|language=ko|date=November 6, 2019|access-date=November 17, 2020|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225053454/http://info.korail.com/mbs/www/jsp/board/view.jsp?spage=1&boardId=9863273&boardSeq=14466865&mcategoryId=&id=www_040500000000|url-status=live}}</ref><!--Information taken from KTX-Cheongryong wikipedia page--> It has the maximum service speed of {{Convert|320|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} and is aimed for supplementing trainsets for current [[High-speed rail in South Korea#Type of railways|high-speed rail services]].

In 2016, a contract was concluded between Korail and Hyundai Rotem to build 2 pre-series sets of KTX-Cheongryong.<ref name="railwaygazette">{{cite web|title=Korail to receive distributed power E320 EMUs in 2019|url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/high-speed/korail-to-receive-distributed-power-e320-emus-in-2019/47216.article|website=[[Railway Gazette International]]|date=September 19, 2018|access-date=August 22, 2020|archive-date=August 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815120740/https://www.railwaygazette.com/high-speed/korail-to-receive-distributed-power-e320-emus-in-2019/47216.article|url-status=live}}</ref> These trainsets entered service on the [[Gyeongbu high-speed railway]] and [[Honam high-speed railway]] on May 1, 2024.<ref name="cheongryong1">{{Cite web|title=Korail launches KTX-Cheongryong high-speed train|url=https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/high-speed/korail-launches-ktx-cheongryong-high-speed-train/|website=International Railway Journal|last=Preston|first=Robert|date=May 3, 2024|access-date=May 3, 2024|archive-date=May 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503164107/https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/high-speed/korail-launches-ktx-cheongryong-high-speed-train/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Another 17 trainsets ordered by Korail are scheduled to be delivered between April 2027 and March 2028.<ref>{{Cite web|title=South Korea: Next-generation high speed trains on test|url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/in-depth/south-korea-next-generation-high-speed-trains-on-test/64825.article|website=Railway Gazette International|language=en|last=Zelki|first=Benjámin|date=September 11, 2023|access-date=January 3, 2024|archive-date=September 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922184302/https://www.railwaygazette.com/in-depth/south-korea-next-generation-high-speed-trains-on-test/64825.article|url-status=live}}</ref>

== List of KTX lines ==
===Current lines===
The table below list tracks in use by KTX service, including both newly constructed high speed lines, and improved/pre-existing lines.
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Line
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Section
! scope="col" colspan="2" | Length
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Opened
! scope="col" colspan="2" | Operating speed
|-
! scope="col" | km
! scope="col" | mi
! scope="col" | kph
! scope="col" | mph
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3" | '''[[Gyeongbu HSR]]'''
| [[Gwangmyeong station|Gwangmyeong]] – Sindong Interconnection
| style="text-align:center" | 223.6
| style="text-align:center" | 138.9
| April 1, 2004
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" | 305
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" | 190
|-
| [[Dongdaegu Station|Dongdaegu]] – [[Busan station|Busan]]
| style="text-align:center" | 122.8
| style="text-align:center" | 76.3
| November 1, 2010
|-
| Daejeon South Interconnection – Okcheon Interconnection<br />Sindong Interconnection – Daegu West Interconnection
| style="text-align:center" | 45.3
| style="text-align:center" | 28.1
| August 1, 2015
| style="text-align:center" | 130
| style="text-align:center" | 80
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Gyeongui Line]]'''
| [[Haengsin station|Haengsin]] – [[Seoul Station|Seoul]]
| style="text-align:center" | 14.9
| style="text-align:center" | 9.3
| rowspan="5" | April 1, 2004
| style="text-align:center" | 90
| style="text-align:center" | 56
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | '''[[Gyeongbu Line]]'''
| [[Seoul Station|Seoul]] – [[Daejeon Station|Daejeon]]
| style="text-align:center" | 166.3
| style="text-align:center" | 103.3
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" | 160
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" | 99
|-
| [[Dongdaegu Station|Dongdaegu]] – [[Busan station|Busan]]
| style="text-align:center" | 115.4
| style="text-align:center" | 71.7
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | '''[[Honam Line]]'''
| Daejeon Interconnection – [[Seodaejeon station|Seodaejeon]] – [[Iksan station|Iksan]]
| style="text-align:center" | 87.9
| style="text-align:center" | 54.6
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" | 180
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" | 112
|-
| [[Gwangju Songjeong Station|Gwangju-Songjeong]] – [[Mokpo station|Mokpo]]
| style="text-align:center" | 66.8
| style="text-align:center" | 41.5
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | '''[[Gyeongjeon Line]]'''
| [[Samnangjin station|Mijeon Interconnection]] – [[Masan station (Gyeongjeon Line)|Masan]]
| style="text-align:center" | 42.0
| style="text-align:center" | 26.1
| December 15, 2010
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" | 160
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" | 99
|-
| [[Masan station (Gyeongjeon Line)|Masan]] – [[Jinju station|Jinju]]
| style="text-align:center" | 49.3
| style="text-align:center" | 30.6
| December 15, 2012
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Jeolla Line]]'''
| [[Iksan station|Iksan]] – [[Yeosu Expo station|Yeosu Expo]]
| style="text-align:center" | 180.4
| style="text-align:center" | 112.1
| October 5, 2011
| style="text-align:center" | 200
| style="text-align:center" | 124
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Honam HSR]]'''
| [[Osong station|Osong]] – [[Gwangju Songjeong Station|Gwangju-Songjeong]]
| style="text-align:center" | 182.3
| style="text-align:center" | 113.3
| rowspan="2" | April 2, 2015
| style="text-align:center" | 305
| style="text-align:center" | 190
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | '''[[Donghae Line]]'''
| [[Gyeongju station|Geoncheon Interconnection]] – [[Pohang station|Pohang]]
| style="text-align:center" | 38.4
| style="text-align:center" | 23.9
| style="text-align:center" | 200
| style="text-align:center" | 124
|-
| [[Gyeongju station|Gyeongju]] – [[Bujeon station (Korail)|Bujeon]]
| style="text-align:center" | 106.6
| style="text-align:center" | 66.2
| December 20, 2024
| style="text-align:center" | 150
| style="text-align:center" | 93.2
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | '''[[Jungang Line]]'''
| [[Cheongnyangni station|Cheongnyangni]] – Seowonju
| style="text-align:center" | 86.4
| style="text-align:center" | 53.7
| December 22, 2017
| style="text-align:center" | 230
| style="text-align:center" | 143
|-
| Seowonju – [[Gyeongju station|Gyeongju]]
| style="text-align:center" | 253.4
| style="text-align:center" | 157.5
| January 5, 2021
| style="text-align:center" | 250
| style="text-align:center" | 155
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Gyeonggang Line]]'''
| Seowonju – [[Gangneung station|Gangneung]]
| style="text-align:center" | 120.3
| style="text-align:center" | 74.8
| December 22, 2017
| style="text-align:center" | 250
| style="text-align:center" | 155
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Yeongdong Line]]'''
| Namgangneung – Donghae
| style="text-align:center" | 43.2
| style="text-align:center" | 26.8
| March 2, 2020
| style="text-align:center" | 110
| style="text-align:center" | 68
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Jungbunaeryuk Line]]'''
| [[Pangyo station|Pangyo]] – [[Mungyeong station|Mungyeong]]
| style="text-align:center" | 136.4
| style="text-align:center" | 84.7
| December 31, 2021
| style="text-align:center" | 230
| style="text-align:center" | 143
|-
|}

===Future lines===
{{Update section|date=May 2025}}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Line
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Section
! scope="col" colspan="2" | Length
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Opening
! scope="col" colspan="2" | Operating speed
|-
! scope="col" | km
! scope="col" | mi
! scope="col" | kph
! scope="col" | mph
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Gyeongjeon Line]]'''
| [[Masan station (Gyeongjeon Line)|Masan]] – [[Bujeon station (Korail)|Bujeon]]
| style="text-align:center" | 50.8
| style="text-align:center" | 31.6
| 2022 (Planned)
| style="text-align:center" | 200
| style="text-align:center" | 124
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Honam HSR]]'''
| Gomagwon – [[Imseong-ri Station|Imseong-ri]] (via [[Muan International Airport]])
| style="text-align:center" | 77.6
| style="text-align:center" | 48.2
| 2023 (Planned)
| rowspan="3" colspan="2" {{TBA}}
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Incheon KTX Line]]'''
| [[Songdo Station|Songdo]] – Maesong Interconnection
| style="text-align:center" | 44.6
| style="text-align:center" | 27.7
| 2025 (Planned)
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Suwon KTX Line]]'''
| [[Suwon Station|Suwon]] – [[PyeongtaekJije Station|PyeongtaekJije]]
| style="text-align:center" | 29.8
| style="text-align:center" | 18.5
| 2025 (Planned)
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Nambunaeryuk Line]]'''
| Gimcheon – Geoje
| style="text-align:center" | 191.1
| style="text-align:center" | 118.7
| 2028 (Planned)
|}

===Defunct lines===
Most of the lines included in the following table are conventional tracks that were used for through-running before dedicated high speed track become available and KTX trains switch over.

The AREX connection to Incheon airport was axed due to low through traffic, therefore the through-running arrangement of KTX trains into the airport got terminated.

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Line
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Section
! scope="col" colspan="2" | Length
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Opened
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Closed
! scope="col" colspan="2" | Operating speed
|-
! scope="col" | km
! scope="col" | mi
! scope="col" | kph
! scope="col" | mph
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Gyeongbu Line]]'''
| [[Daejeon Station|Daejeon]] – [[Dongdaegu Station|Dongdaegu]]
| style="text-align:center" | 160.0
| style="text-align:center" | 99.4
| June 1, 2007
| November 1, 2010
| style="text-align:center" | 160
| style="text-align:center" | 99
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[:ko:광주선|Gwangju Line]]'''
| Songjeong Interconnection – [[Gwangju station|Gwangju]]
| style="text-align:center" | 13.7
| style="text-align:center" | 8.5
| rowspan="2" | April 1, 2004
| rowspan="2" | April 1, 2015
| style="text-align:center" | 100
| style="text-align:center" | 62
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[Honam Line]]'''
| [[Iksan station|Iksan]] – [[Gwangju Songjeong Station|Gwangju-Songjeong]]
| style="text-align:center" | 97.8
| style="text-align:center" | 60.8
| style="text-align:center" | 180
| style="text-align:center" | 112
|-
! scope="row" | '''[[AREX]]'''
| [[Susaek station|Susaek Interconnection]] – [[Incheon International Airport Station|Incheon Int'l Airport]]
| style="text-align:center" | 45.3
| style="text-align:center" | 28.1
| June 30, 2014
| July 30, 2018
| style="text-align:center" | 160
| style="text-align:center" | 99
|-
|}

==Operation==
[[Image:Korail ms test.JPG|thumb|Test ticket for KTX trial run.]]
Following a phase of test operation, regular KTX service started on April 1, 2004, with a maximum speed of {{Convert|300|km/h|mph|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} achieved along the finished sections of the Gyeongbu HSR.<ref name="overview"/> In response to frequent passenger complaints regarding speeds on the video display staying just below the advertised 300 mark, operating top speed was raised to {{Convert|305|km/h|mph|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} on November 26, 2007.<ref name="jai-305">{{cite news|url=http://article.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.asp?ctg=12&Total_ID=3393794 |title=KTX 속도 시속 5km 빨라진다 |language=ko |date=2008-11-26 |newspaper=[[JoongAng Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-11-05 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713120520/http://article.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.asp?ctg=12&Total_ID=3393794 |archive-date=2011-07-13 }}</ref>

===Services===
{{See also|Gyeongbu High Speed Railway#Gyeongbu KTX|l1=Gyeongbu KTX|Honam Line#Honam KTX|l2=Honam KTX|Gyeongui Line#KTX|l3=KTX to Haengsin|Gyeongjeon Line#Gyeongjeon KTX|l4=Gyeongjeon KTX|Jeolla Line#Jeolla KTX|l5=Jeolla KTX|Donghae Line#KTX|l7=KTX to Pohang}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! colspan="2" | Services
! Train #
! Daily Freq.<br /><small>(2021)</small>
! Route
|-
| rowspan="3" | Gyeongbu KTX
| <small>HSR route</small>
| 00x/18x
| 39–48
| <small>(Haengsin)</small> – Seoul – Gwangmyeong – Daejeon – Dongdaegu – Ulsan – Busan
|-
| <small>via Gupo</small>
| 10x/16x
| 6–8
| <small>(HSR route until Dongdaegu)</small> – Miryang – Gupo – Busan
|-
| <small>via Suwon</small>
| 12x/17x
| 4–6
| Seoul – Yeongdeungpo – Suwon – <small>(HSR route toward Busan)</small>
|-
| colspan="2" | Gyeongjeon KTX
| 20x/28x
| 12–16
| <small>(Gyeongbu HSR until Dongdaegu)</small> – Miryang – Changwon – Masan – Jinju
|-
| colspan="2" | Donghae KTX
| 23x/29x
| 14–15
| <small>(Gyeongbu HSR until Dongdaegu)</small> – Pohang
|-
| rowspan="2" | Honam KTX
| <small>HSR route</small>
| 40x/49x
| 20–21
| <small>(Haengsin)</small> – Yongsan – Gwangmyeong – Gongju – Iksan – Gwangju-Songjeong – Mokpo
|-
| <small>via Seodaejeon</small>
| 47x/48x
| 7
| <small>(Gyeongbu HSR until Osong)</small> – Seodaejeon – Gyeryong – Nonsan – Iksan (– Gimje – Mokpo / 2x daily)
|-
| rowspan="2" | Jeolla KTX
| <small>HSR route</small>
| 50x/54x
| 12–14
| <small>(Honam HSR route until Iksan)</small> – Jeonju – Yeosu-Expo
|-
| <small>via Seodaejeon</small>
| 58x
| 3–4
| <small>(Honam route via Seodaejeon until Iksan)</small> – Iksan – Jeonju (– Yeosu-Expo / 2x daily)
|-
| colspan="2" | Jungang KTX
| 70x
| 7–8
| Cheongnyangni – Wonju – Jecheon – Yeongju – Andong
|-
| rowspan="2" | Gangneung KTX
| <small>Gyeonggang route</small>
| 80x/85x
| 14–21
| <small>(Seoul)</small> – Cheongnyangni – Manjong – Pyeongchang – Jinbu – Gangneung
|-
| <small>Yeongdong route</small>
| 84x/88x
| 4–7
| <small>(Gyeonggang route until Jinbu)</small> – Jeongdongjin – Donghae
|- style="border-top: 3px solid black; font-style: italic; background: #eee;"
| colspan="2" | Gyeongbu SRT
| 3xx
| 40
| Suseo – Daejeon – Dongdaegu – Ulsan – Busan
|- style="font-style: italic; background: #eee;"
| colspan="2" | Honam SRT
| 6xx
| 20
| Suseo – Gongju – Iksan – Gwangju-Songjeong – Mokpo
|-
|}

{{Update section|date=July 2025}}

[[File:Frequency of Korea Train Express (KTX) services trains-week.gif|thumb|Frequency of KTX services .(trains/week)]]
KTX services are grouped according to their route, and within the groups, the stopping pattern changes from train to train.<ref name="TTNov2010"/> KTX trains not deviating from the Seoul–Busan corridor are operated as the Gyeongbu KTX service.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=34}} In 2004, the new service cut the route length from {{Convert|441.7|to|408.5|km|mi|abbr=on}},<ref name="TCI_overview2005"/> and the fastest trains, serving four stations only, cut the minimum Seoul–Busan travel time from the [[Saemaul-ho|Saemaul]]'s 4 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes.<ref name="overview"/> With the extension of the Gyeongbu HSR, from November 1, 2010, the minimum Seoul–Busan travel time reduced to 2 hours 18 minutes,<ref name="Korail-Nov2010">{{cite web |url=http://info.korail.com/ROOT/news/board_view.jsp?boardType=BODO&bbs=bbs20&seq=6386 |script-title=ko:경부고속철도 2단계 개통에 따른 열차운행 알림 |language=ko |date=2010-10-06 |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-10-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722190134/http://info.korail.com/ROOT/news/board_view.jsp?boardType=BODO&bbs=bbs20&seq=6386 |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref> over a travel distance of {{Convert|423.8|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="KTXfare-Nov2010"/> From December 1, 2010, Korail added a pair of non-stop trains<ref>{{cite web|url=http://info.korail.com/ROOT/news/board_view.jsp?boardType=BODO&bbs=bbs20&seq=6419 |title=KTX 운행 조정 알림 |language=ko |date=2010-11-10 |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-12-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722192629/http://info.korail.com/ROOT/news/board_view.jsp?boardType=BODO&bbs=bbs20&seq=6419 |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref> with a travel time of 2 hours 8 minutes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://info.korail.com/2007/download/sta/1_korail_total_train_time_101201.xls |title=KTX Time Table 2010.12.01 |language=ko |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-12-09}}</ref> Once the sections across Daejeon and Daegu are completed, cutting the Seoul–Busan travel distance to {{Convert|417.5|km|mi|abbr=on}},<ref name="han-phase2"/> plans foresee a further improvement of the four-stop travel time to 2 hours and 10 minutes.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=37}}

Because both KTX and conventional trains in South Korea share a rail gauge (unlike in Japan), KTX trains can run on both networks dramatically increasing the number of destinations served.<ref>{{Cite web|title=KTX {{!}} Seoul to Busan, Daeju etc. Train {{!}} Reviews, Photos & Information|url=https://trainreview.com/train/ktx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014132749/https://trainreview.com/train/ktx|url-status=usurped|archive-date=October 14, 2020|access-date=2020-10-12|website=trainreview.com}}</ref>

Some Gyeongbu KTX services use parts of the conventional line paralleling the high-speed line. From June 2007 until October 2010, some trains left the Gyeongbu HSR between Daejeon and Dongdaegu to serve [[Gimcheon station|Gimcheon]] and [[Gumi station|Gumi]] before the opening of an extra station for the two cities on the high-speed line.<ref name="GinGum">{{cite news|url=http://article.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.asp?ctg=10&Total_ID=4320136 |title='KTX가 뭐기에'...김천·구미 끝없는 대립 |date=2010-07-18 |newspaper=[[JoongAng Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-10-23 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713120449/http://article.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.asp?ctg=10&Total_ID=4320136 |archive-date=2011-07-13 }}</ref> From November 1, 2010, when most Gyeongbu KTX services began to use the new Daegu–Busan high-speed section, some trains remained on the Gyeongbu Line on that section, and additional trains began to use the Gyeongbu Line on the Seoul–Daejeon section to serve [[Suwon Station|Suwon]].<ref name="TTNov2010">{{cite web |url=http://info.korail.com/2007/download/sta/1_korail_total_train_time_101101.xls |title=KTX Time Table 2010.11.01 |language=ko |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-10-31}}</ref>

KTX trains using the Gyeongbu HSR only from Seoul to Daejeon and continuing all along the Honam Line are operated as the Honam KTX service.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=34}} In 2004, the new service with a route length of {{Convert|404.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} between [[Yongsan station|Yongsan]] in Seoul and Mokpo{{sfn|Suh|Yang|Lee|Ahn|2005|p=176}} cut minimum travel time from 4 hours 42 minutes to 2 hours 58 minutes.<ref name="overview"/> By 2017, this time is to be cut further to 1 hours 46 minutes.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=40}}

On December 15, 2010, the new Gyeongjeon KTX service started<ref name="Korail-15Dec2010"/> with a minimum travel time of 2 hours 54 minutes<ref>{{cite web |url=http://info.korail.com/2007/download/sta/1_korail_total_train_time_101215.xls |title=KTX Time Table 2010.12.15 |language=ko |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-12-11}}</ref> over the {{Convert|401.4|km|mi|abbr=on}} long route between Seoul and Masan.<ref name="KTXfare-Dec2010">{{cite web |url=http://info.korail.com/2007/download/sta/KTX(20101215).xls |title=KTX 2010.12.15 |language=ko |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-12-11}}</ref> The service is to be extended to Jinju by 2012.<ref name="suseoannounce"/> A fourth line, the Jeolla KTX service will connect Seoul to Yeosu in 3 hours 7 minutes from September 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/02/17/2011021702021.html |title=여수엑스포 SOC 사업, 속도 낸다 |language=ko |date=2011-02-17 |newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |access-date=2011-02-20}}</ref> From 2014, with the completion of the first phase of the Honam HSR, the travel time is reduced further to 2 hours 25 minutes.<ref name="KTX-2011">{{cite news|url=http://issue.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/05/12/2010051201015.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103024406/http://issue.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/05/12/2010051201015.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-03 |script-title=ko:숙박ㆍ교통ㆍ민자 사업 어디까지 왔나 어디를 가도 '여수는 지금 공사중' 2조원 투입해 2년간 단계별 건립 도심연결 도로망ㆍ교통혼잡은 숙제 |language=ko |date=2010-05-12 |newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-10-19 }}</ref> From 2015, KTX trains are to reach Pohang from Seoul in 1 hour 50 minutes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://article.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.asp?Total_ID=3998831 |script-title=ko:2015년 포항~서울 2시간에 달린다 |language=ko |date=2010-02-04 |newspaper=[[JoongAng Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-11-05 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713120511/http://article.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.asp?Total_ID=3998831 |archive-date=2011-07-13 }}</ref>

=== Tickets and seats ===
[[File:KTX-EUM First Class(2021.01.26).jpg|thumb|[[KTX-Eum]]'s Superior Class.]]

==== Type of seats ====
[[KTX-I]] and [[KTX-Sancheon]] offer First Class and Standard Class, while [[KTX-Eum]] and [[KTX-Cheongryong|Cheongryong]] offer Superior Class and Standard Class.Tickets also specify whether a seat is forward-facing or backward-facing according to the direction of travel. First Class seats are arranged 2+1 across the train and Standard Class seats are configured 2+2. There are special reserved Family seats, which are grouped in four, including 2 forward-facing and 2 backward-facing seats. There are reserved seats and unassigned seats.<ref name="booking">{{cite web|url=http://www.korail.com/en/rv/pr21100/w_pr21110.jsp |title=Booking |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-10-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713164814/http://www.korail.com/en/rv/pr21100/w_pr21110.jsp |archive-date=2011-07-13 }}</ref> KTX trains have no restaurant cars or bars, only seat service.<ref name="al1"/> From 2006, one car of selected KTX services functions as a moving [[Movie theater|cinema]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2006/09/21/2006092161010.html |title=Bullet Train to Feature Latest Films |date=2006-09-21 |newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-11-01}}</ref>

==== Ticket prices ====
[[File:KTX diff-fare-red.gif|thumb|Differential fare reductions before and after the launch of KTX service.]]
KTX fares were designed to be about halfway between those for conventional trains and airline tickets.{{sfn|Suh|Yang|Lee|Ahn|2005|p=179}} The fare system implemented at the start of service in April 2004 deviated from prices proportional with distance, to favour long-distance trips.{{sfn|Suh|Yang|Lee|Ahn|2005|p=179}} On April 25, 2005,<ref name="Korail_Apr2005">{{cite web|url=http://info.korail.com/ROOT/news/board_view.jsp?boardType=BODO&bbs=bbs20&seq=1618 |title=KTX 운임 및 예매기간 조정 알림 |language=ko |date=2005-04-30 |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-11-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722191814/http://info.korail.com/ROOT/news/board_view.jsp?boardType=BODO&bbs=bbs20&seq=1618 |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref> fares were selectively reduced for relations under-performing most.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=19}}
{| class="wikitable"  style="float:right; margin:0 1em 0 0;"
|+ Seoul-Busan Standard Class fares<br><small>one-way, reserved, for adults; November 1, 2010</small>
! Service !! Mon-Thu !! Fri-Sat
|-
| '''KTX'''<ref name="KTXfare-Nov2010">{{cite web |url=http://info.korail.com/2007/download/sta/KTX(20101101).xls |title=KTX 2010.11.01 |language=ko |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-11-01}}</ref>
|align="right"| 51,800 won
|align="right"| 55,500 won
|-
| '''KTX (via Miryang)'''<ref name="KTXfare-Nov2010"/>
|align="right"| 47,900 won
|align="right"| 51,200 won
|-
| '''KTX (via Suwon)'''<ref name="KTXfare-Nov2010"/>
|align="right"| 42,100 won
|align="right"| 45,000 won
|-
| '''Saemaul'''<ref name="Saemaul-Sep2010">{{cite web |url=http://info.korail.com/2007/download/sta/saemaul_20100901.xls |title=Saemaul 2010.09.01 |language=ko |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-10-31 |archive-date=2011-07-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722190118/http://info.korail.com/2007/download/sta/saemaul_20100901.xls |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|align="right"| 39,300 won
|align="right"| 41,100 won
|-
| '''Mugunghwa'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://info.korail.com/2007/download/sta/mukyunghwa_20100901.xls |title=Mugunghwa 2010.09.01 |language=ko |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-10-31}}</ref>
|align="right"| 26,500 won
|align="right"| 27,700 won
|}
From November 1, 2006, due to rising energy prices,<ref name="fares2006"/> Korail applied an 8-10% fare hike for various train services, including 9.5% for KTX.<ref name="donga-fares2006">{{cite news |url=http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2006103088658 |title=Growth Could Fall on North Tensions |newspaper=[[The Dong-a Ilbo]] |date=2006-10-30 |access-date=2010-09-03}}</ref> The price of a Seoul-Busan Standard Class ticket increased to 48,100 won.<ref name="fares2006">{{cite web |url=http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/apcity/unpan024913.htm#2_2_12 |title=Public Service Fees to Rise |publisher=[[Korea.net]] via [[United Nations Public Administration Network]] |date=2006-10-30 |access-date=2010-08-30 |archive-date=2012-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227043338/http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/apcity/unpan024913.htm#2_2_12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> From July 1, 2007, KTX fares were hiked another 6.5%, while those for the slower Saemaeul and Mugunghwa services on the parallel conventional route were raised by 3.5 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively.<ref name="fares2007">{{cite news |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/include/print.asp?newsIdx=5265 |title=Train Fares to Increase 4.2% From July 1 |newspaper=[[The Korea Times]] |date=2007-06-22 |access-date=2010-08-30}}</ref> However, new reduced weekday and unassigned seat fares were also introduced.<ref name="fares2007"/>

After the November 1, 2010, start of service on the Daegu–Busan section of the Gyeongbu HSR, the fare for KTX trains using the new section was set about 8% higher than for the old route via Miryang, while that for the new services via Suwon was set lower.<ref name="Korail-Nov2010"/>

==== Discounts ====
Korail's standard discounts for children, disabled, seniors and groups apply on KTX trains, too.<ref name="KorailDiscounts">{{cite web |url=http://www.korail.com/2007/adv/adv02000/w_adv02400.jsp |script-title=ko:할인제도 |language=ko |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-11-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127115638/http://www.korail.com/2007/adv/adv02000/w_adv02400.jsp |archive-date=2013-01-27 }}</ref> For frequent travellers, Korail's standard discount cards, which are categorised according to age group, apply with the double of the standard discount rates; while discount cards for business and government agency workers apply with the normal rate; both types of discounts are up to 30%.<ref name="KorailDiscounts"/> Season period tickets with discounts of up to 60% can also apply to KTX trains.<ref name="KorailDiscounts"/>

Discounts for family seats (37.5%) and backward facing seats (5%) are specific to the KTX.<ref name="KorailDiscounts"/> In addition to Korail's small general discounts for tickets purchased in a vending machine, via cell phone or the internet, discounts of 5–20% apply to a limited number of seats on KTX trains when purchased in advance.<ref name="KorailDiscounts"/> For travellers who transfer to other long-distance trains towards destinations beyond KTX stops, transfer tickets with 30% discount apply.<ref name="KorailDiscounts"/> Korail pays a refund for late KTX trains, which reaches 100% for trains with a delay above one hour.<ref name="irjJan2007"/>

[[Korea Rail Pass]], a period ticket Korail offers to foreigners, also applies to KTX.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://info.korail.com/2007/eng/etr/etr01000/w_etr01100.jsp |title=Korea Rail Pass |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2904083|title=Bullet trains are attracting foreigners |date=2009-04-27 |newspaper=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]] |access-date=2009-04-26}}</ref> For passengers using the Korea-Japan Joint Rail Pass, a joint offer of Korail, Japanese railways and ferry services, the discount on KTX trains is 30%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://info.korail.com/2007/eng/etr/etr01000/w_etr01100.jsp |title=Foreign Railroad Traveling |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-10-28}}</ref>

===Passenger numbers and usage===

{{Update section|date=July 2025}}

====Forecasts====
{| class="wikitable"  style="float:right; margin:0 0 0 1em;"
!rowspan="2"| Forecast<br>made in... !!colspan="4"| KTX opening year ridership<br><small>forecast in passengers/day<ref name="irail_2004">{{cite journal |url=http://www.irail.net/webzine/y2004/m46/2.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041018232948/http://www.irail.net/webzine/y2004/m46/2.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=October 18, 2004 |script-title=ko:한국고속철도 개통효과와 균등분배정책 |language=ko |issue=46 |date=March–April 2004 |journal=Korean Rail Technology |access-date=2010-11-04|title=Irail.net }}</ref></small>
|-
! Gyeongbu !! Honam !! !! Total
|-
| '''1991'''
|align="right"| 196,402
| style="text-align:center;"| -
|
|align="right"| 196,402
|-
| '''1995'''
|align="right"| 190,203
| style="text-align:center;"| -
|
|align="right"| 190,203
|-
!colspan="5"|
|-
| '''Dec 1998<br>Nov 1999'''
|align="right"| 141,497<br>&nbsp;
|align="right"| &nbsp;<br>22,818
|
|align="right"| 164,315
|-
| '''Aug 2003'''
|align="right"| 115,828
|align="right"| 36,085
|
|align="right"| 151,913
|}
When the project was launched, KTX was expected to become one of the world's busiest high-speed lines. The first study in 1991 forecast around 200,000 passengers a day in the first year of operation, growing to 330,000 passengers a day twelve years later.<ref name="irjJan2007">{{cite journal |first=David |last=Briginshaw |url=http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/sb/irj0107/index.php?startid=21 |title=KTX takes the lead in Korea |pages=21–23 |date=January 2007 |journal=International Railway Journal |access-date=2010-10-30}}</ref> In forecasts prepared after the decision to split the project into two phases, the expected first year ridership of Gyeongbu KTX services was reduced by about 40%. With the estimate for the Honam KTX services added to the plan, opening year forecasts ranged between 150,000 and 175,000 passengers a day.<ref name="irail_2004"/>{{sfn|Suh|Yang|Lee|Ahn|2005|p=183}} Actual initial ridership after the opening of the first phase in 2004 was well short of initial expectations at around half of the final forecast.{{sfn|Suh|Yang|Lee|Ahn|2005|p=183}}<ref name="tciexpect">{{cite news |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2004/07/09/2004070961043.html |title=Bullet Train KTX Records Only Half of Expectations |date=2004-07-09 |newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-08-27}}</ref>

In October 2010, before the opening of the second phase, Korail expected ridership to rise from the then current 106,000 to 135,000 passengers a day.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/29/2010102901040.html |title=Daegu-Busan KTX Route Completed |date=2010-11-29 |newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-11-01}}</ref>

====Ridership evolution====
[[File:KTX-daily-ridership-2004-2013.svg|thumb|Average daily ridership, 2004 to 2013, [http://www.index.go.kr/potal/main/EachDtlPageDetail.do?idx_cd=1252 for 2014: 56.9 mln, 2015: 60.5 mln, 2016: 64.6 mln annual] ]]
KTX was introduced on 1 April 2004. In the first 100 days, daily passenger numbers averaged 70,250, generating an operational revenue of about 2.11 billion won per day, 54% of what was expected.<ref name="tciexpect"/> On January 14, 2005, Prime Minister [[Lee Hae Chan]] stated that "the launch of KTX was a classic policy failure" due to construction costs significantly above and passenger numbers well below forecasts.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.donga.com/fbin/output?f=todaynews&code=b__&n=200501140362 |script-title=ko:경부고속철은 정책실패...호남고속철 섣불리 건설 못해 |language=ko |date=2005-01-14 |work=[[OhmyNews]] |access-date=2010-11-01}}</ref> However, ridership increased by over a third on the Gyeongbu KTX and over a half on the Honam KTX in two years.{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|p=20}} Financial break-even was forecast at a ridership level of around 100,000 passengers a day, which was expected by the end of 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2006/01/09/2006010961017.html |title=KTX Carries 100,000 Passengers a Day |date=2006-01-09 |newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-11-01}}</ref>

The 100 millionth rider was carried after 1116 days of operation on April 22, 2007, when cumulative income stood at 2.78 trillion won.<ref name="100mill_kr">{{cite web |url=http://news.korail.com/main/php/search_view.php?idx=2223 |title=KTX이용객 1억명 돌파 |language=ko |date=2007-04-21 |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-10-30 |archive-date=2010-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618222645/http://news.korail.com/main/php/search_view.php?idx=2223 |url-status=dead }}</ref> KTX finances moved into the black in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200804/200804020006.html |title=Korea's Bullet Trains Celebrates 4th Year |date=2008-04-02 |newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |access-date=2009-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524032915/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200804/200804020006.html |archive-date=2008-05-24}}</ref> The next year, with revenues equal to US$898 million and costs equal to US$654 million, KTX was Korail's most profitable branch.<ref name="KOTI2010">{{cite web|first=Jinsu |last=MUN |url=http://cleanairinitiative.org/portal/system/files/presentations/Jinsu_Mun_KOTI.pdf |title=High Speed Rail in Korea |date=2010-05-25 |publisher=The Korea Transport Institute |access-date=2010-10-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725175809/http://cleanairinitiative.org/portal/system/files/presentations/Jinsu_Mun_KOTI.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-25 }}</ref>

By the sixth anniversary in April 2010, KTX trains travelled a total 122.15 million kilometres, carrying 211.01 million passengers.<ref name="Sixyear">{{cite web |url=http://news.korail.com/main/php/search_view.php?idx=15156 |title=개통 6년을 맞는 KTX의 현재와 미래 |language=ko |date=2010-03-29 |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-04-21 |archive-date=2012-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304014752/http://news.korail.com/main/php/search_view.php?idx=15156 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Punctuality gradually improved from 86.7% of trains arriving within 5 minutes of schedule in 2004<ref name="5years">{{cite web |url=http://www.railsafety.or.kr/web/FileDownload.do?file=/por/jsp/admin/board/PORAdminBoardR.jsp/KTX_%EA%B0%9C%ED%86%B5_5%EC%A3%BC%EB%85%84_%ED%94%84%EB%A0%88%EC%8A%A4%ED%82%B7.hwp |title=KTX 개통 5주년 보도자료 |language=ko |date=2009-04-01 |publisher=Rail Safety Information System |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722141402/http://www.railsafety.or.kr/web/FileDownload.do?file=%2Fpor%2Fjsp%2Fadmin%2Fboard%2FPORAdminBoardR.jsp%2FKTX_%EA%B0%9C%ED%86%B5_5%EC%A3%BC%EB%85%84_%ED%94%84%EB%A0%88%EC%8A%A4%ED%82%B7.hwp |archive-date=2011-07-22 |access-date=2010-11-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> to 98.3% in 2009.<ref name="Sixyear"/> In 2009, the average daily ridership was 102,700.<ref name="Sixyear"/> As of April 2010, the single-day ridership record stood at 178,584 passengers, achieved on January 26, 2009, the [[Korean New Year]].<ref name="5years"/>

By the tenth anniversary KTX had travelled a total 240 million kilometres, carrying 414 million passengers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/03/31/2014033101291.html|title=KTX Clocks Up Over 414 Million Passengers in a Decade|date=22 February 2024 }}</ref>

====Market share and effect====
{{multiple image
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   | footer    = Evolution of [[modal share]]s on selected relations with KTX service
   | footer_align = center
   | image1    = KTX-Gyeongbu-modal-share.gif
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   | caption1  = Gyeongbu corridor
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   | caption2  = Honam corridor
}}
The introduction of high-speed services had the strongest effect on long-distance relations with a significant portion of the journey on the high-speed line, like Seoul–Busan: KTX took both the majority of the market and the bulk of rail passengers in the first year already, increasing the total share of rail from around two-fifths to a market dominating two-thirds by 2008. On long-distance relations with significant distances along conventional lines and resulting more modest travel time gains, that is along the Honam Line, the KTX and overall rail market share gain decreases with distance. On medium-distance relations like Seoul–Daejeon, KTX gained market share mostly at the expense of normal rail express services and air traffic, and helped to increase the total share of rail. On short-distance intercity relations line Seoul–Cheonan, due to the modest gains in time and the location of KTX stops outside city cores, KTX gains were at the expense of conventional rail, while intercity rail's modal share was little changed.<ref name="5years"/>{{sfn|Cho|Chung|2008|pp=29–32}}

By 2007, provincial airports suffered from deficits after a drop in the number of passengers attributed to the KTX.<ref name="ProvAirport2007">{{cite news |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/include/print.asp?newsIdx=13379 |title=Muan International Airport Has Incomplete Opening|date=2007-11-08 |newspaper=[[The Korea Times]] |access-date=2010-10-21}}</ref> With lower ticket prices, by 2008, KTX has swallowed up around half of the airlines' previous demand between Seoul and Busan (falling from 5.3 million passengers in 2003 to 2.4 million).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2903012 |title=Bullet trains steal planes' thunder |newspaper=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]] |date=2009-04-02 |access-date=2009-11-30}}</ref> Though some low-cost carriers failed and withdrew from the route, others still planned to enter competition even at the end of 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/12/119_36749.html |title=Budget Carriers Gear Up to Challenge KTX |date=2008-12-25 |newspaper=[[The Korea Times]] |access-date=2008-12-31}}</ref> Budget airlines achieved a 5.6% growth in August 2009 over the same month a year earlier while KTX ridership decreased by 1.3%, a trend change credited to the opening of [[Seoul Subway Line 9]], which improved [[Gimpo International Airport]]'s connection to southern Seoul.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2911520 |title=Budget airlines win passengers again |newspaper=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]] |date=2009-10-21 |access-date=2009-11-30}}</ref>

In the first two months after the launch of the second phase of the Gyeongbu HSR, passenger numbers on flights between Gimpo and [[Ulsan Airport]]s dropped 35.4% compared to the same period a year earlier, those between Gimpo and [[Pohang Airport]]s 13.2%.<ref name="tci-p2air">{{cite news |url=http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/01/09/2011010900531.html |title=KTX 2단계 개통후 울산-포항 항공객 급감 |language=ko |date=2011-01-09 |newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |access-date=2011-01-18}}</ref> Between Gimpo Airport and Busan's [[Gimhae International Airport]], airline passenger numbers remained stable (+0.2%), as a consequence of a budget airline competing with large discounts and aggressive marketing.<ref name="tci-p2air"/> In the first month of Gyeongjeon KTX service, express bus services between Seoul and Masan or Changwon experienced 30–40% drops in ridership.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/01/14/2011011400364.html |title=경전선 KTX 개통 한달..경남에 '변화의 바람' |language=ko |date=2011-01-14 |newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |access-date=2011-01-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319150536/http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/01/14/2011011400364.html |archive-date=2012-03-19 }}</ref>

===Technical and operational issues===
====State of infrastructure====
Lawmakers criticised the safety of Korail's tunnels after the Ministry of Construction and Transportation submitted data to the National Assembly on June 13, 2005. The ministry added fire prevention standards to high-speed line design standards only in November 2003, thus they weren't applied to the by then finished tunnels of the first phase of KTX. Consequently, few tunnels had emergency exits, and in high-speed railway tunnels, the average walking distance in case of an emergency was {{Convert|973|m|ft|abbr=on}}, with a maximum of {{Convert|3,086|m|ft|abbr=on}}, against a norm of emergency exits every {{Convert|500|m|ft|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} in other countries.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2005061445518&path_dir=20050614 |title=What If There Is a Fire in a Railroad Tunnel? |date=2005-06-14 |newspaper=[[The Dong-a Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-09-02}}</ref> A contingency plan for fires in KTX tunnels was incorporated into a national disaster manual in November 2005.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2005/11/29/2005112961025.html |title=New Disaster Manuals Outline Emergency Response |date=2005-11-29 |newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-11-01}}</ref>

On October 5, 2008, it was revealed by lawmakers that inside Hwanghak Tunnel, from December 2004, inspectors have monitored the progression of several cracks and minor track displacements, which continued after maintenance work in March–April 2007 and again in March 2008.<ref name="hwanghak-problem">{{cite web |url=http://www.cdaily.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=2826 |title=KTX궤도 뒤틀려···안전 비상 |date=2008-10-06 |publisher=Construction Daily News |access-date=2010-09-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722132820/http://www.cdaily.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=2826 |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref> The operator claimed that a February 2007 on-site inspection found the problems not safety-relevant, but pledged further maintenance, and an investigation into the causes was launched.<ref name="hwanghak-action">{{cite web |url=http://www.geogroup.co.kr/jboard/?code=board6&p=detail&id=166 |script-title=ko:경부고속철 황학터널 궤도틀림, 열차안전운행 지장 없어 |language=ko |date=2008-10-08 |publisher=Geo Group Eng |access-date=2010-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722133415/http://www.geogroup.co.kr/jboard/?code=board6&p=detail&id=166 |archive-date=2011-07-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Tunnel reinforcement was under way in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mbn.mk.co.kr/pages/news/newsView.php?news_seq_no=489860&category=mbn00005 |script-title=ko:수서~평택, 수도권 고속철도 안전성 '취약' |language=ko |date=2010-03-02 |publisher=MBN TV |access-date=2010-10-30}}</ref>

====Incidents and accidents====
[[File:KTX-breakdowns.gif|thumb|upright=1.3|Annual number of breakdowns and failure rate]]
Operation irregularities mostly concerned the rolling stock, but also signalling, power glitches and track problems.{{sfn|Suh|Yang|Lee|Ahn|2005|p=180}} The number of incidents decreased from 28 in the first month to 8 in the fifth.{{sfn|Suh|Yang|Lee|Ahn|2005|p=180}} The failure rate decreased sharply by the fifth year of operation.<ref name="5years"/> Later, in the first eight months of regular service until October 2010, KTX-II trains broke down 12 times.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/10/117_75377.html |title=Korail under fire for frequent KTX breakdowns |date=2010-10-28 |newspaper=[[The Korea Times]] |access-date=2010-10-30}}</ref> Causes for breakdowns in the first years of operation involved inexperienced staff and insufficient inspection during maintenance.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/view/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0000237642 |title=KTX '터널안 정차' 기관사 조치미숙으로 최종 결론 |language=ko |date=2005-02-16 |work=[[OhmyNews]] |access-date=2010-10-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.donga.com/3/all/20050211/8158486/1 |title=고속철 '불안한 질주' 언제까지...'터널속 정차' 원인 못밝혀 |date=2005-02-11 |newspaper=[[The Dong-a Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-10-29}}</ref>

Lawmakers from the [[Grand National Party]] published an investigation in October 2006 and expressed concern about the practice to use parts from other trains for spare parts,<ref name="pbj_parts">{{cite web |url=http://www.newsprime.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=17777 |title=KTX 고장나면 다른 차량 부품 떼어 "땜질" |language=ko |date=2006-10-13 |publisher=Prime Business Journal |access-date=2011-02-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722134533/http://www.newsprime.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=17777 |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref> but Korail stated that that is standard practice in case of urgency with no safety effect, and the supply of spare parts is secured.<ref name="parts-repl-ok">{{cite web |date=2009-01-23 |title= |url=http://railnews.korail.go.kr/20061002/05953.html |access-date=2010-09-03 |work=The Railroad News |publisher=[[Korail]] |language=ko}}{{dead link|date=May 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> Korail is also conducting a localisation program to develop replacements for two dozen imported parts.<ref name="5years"/>

On June 13, 2007, near [[Cheongdo]] on the upgraded Daegu–Busan section, a damper acting between two cars of a KTX train got free at one end due to a loose screw and hit the trackbed, throwing up ballast that hit cars and caused bruises to two people on the parallel road, until the train was stopped when passengers noticed smoke.<ref name="ballastthrow">{{cite web|url=http://www.ytn.co.kr/news/theme_view.php?tidx=290&key=200706140632137477 |title=KTX 열차 사고...차량 파손, 주민 부상 |language=ko |date=2007-06-14 |publisher=[[YTN]] |access-date=2010-09-22 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On November 3, 2007, an arriving KTX-I train collided with a parked KTX-I train inside Busan Station, resulting in material damage<ref name="head-on-collision">{{cite news |url=http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2007110532198&path_dir=20071105 |title=Head-on Collision |date=2007-11-05 |newspaper=[[The Dong-a Ilbo]] |access-date=2007-11-05}}</ref> of 10 billion won<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2007111512318 |title=부산 KTX 충돌사고 기관사 등 사전영장 |language=ko |date=2007-11-15 |publisher=[[The Korea Economic Daily]] |access-date=2011-01-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323220735/http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2007111512318 |archive-date=2012-03-23 }}</ref> and light injuries to two persons.<ref name="collision-union"/> The accident happened because the driver had fallen asleep and disabled the train protection system,<ref name="driverasleep">{{cite web |url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=082&aid=0000155624 |title=KTX 부산역 구내 충돌사고 원인은 |language=ko |date=2007-11-05 |publisher=[[Busan Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-09-25}}</ref> and led to the trial and conviction of the driver.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.mk.co.kr/newsRead.php?sc=30000022&year=2008&no=374609&sID=504 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722193837/http://news.mk.co.kr/newsRead.php?sc=30000022&year=2008&no=374609&sID=504 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-22 |title=부산역 KTX 충돌사고 기관사 벌금형 |language=ko |date=2008-06-13 |newspaper=[[Maeil Business Newspaper]] |access-date=2011-01-01 }}</ref> The railway union criticised single driver operation in conjunction with the two and a half hours rest time the driver had between shifts.<ref name="collision-union">{{cite web |url=http://www.kbn-tv.co.kr/read.php3?no=213457&read_temp=20071103&section=5&local=bs |title=KTX열차 정면충돌, 대형참사로 이어질뻔 |language=ko |date=2007-11-03 |publisher=Korea Broadcasting Network |access-date=2010-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722134242/http://www.kbn-tv.co.kr/read.php3?no=213457&read_temp=20071103&section=5&local=bs |archive-date=2011-07-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On February 11, 2011, a KTX-Sancheon train<ref name="kt-derail"/> bound for Seoul from Busan derailed on a switch in a tunnel {{convert|500|m|ft|abbr=on}} before [[Gwangmyeong Station]],<ref name="jd-nut">{{cite web |url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2932222 |title=One loose nut derailed KTX train |date=2011-02-15 |publisher=[[JoongAng Ilbo]] |access-date=2011-02-17}}</ref> when travelling at around {{convert|90|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name="tci-gm-acc">{{cite news |url=http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/02/12/2011021200133.html?Dep1=news&Dep2=headline1&Dep3=h1_06 |title=고속이었다면 KTX 참사 날 뻔 |date=2011-02-11 |newspaper=[[The Dong-a Ilbo]] |access-date=2011-02-11}}</ref> No casualties were reported, only one passenger suffered slight injury, but KTX traffic was blocked for 29 hours while repairs were completed.<ref name="kt-derail">{{cite news |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/02/113_81386.html |title=KTX causes safety concern |date=2011-02-14 |newspaper=[[The Korea Times]] |access-date=2011-02-17}}</ref> Preliminary investigation indicated that the accident resulted from a series of human errors.<ref name="jd-nut"/> Because workers improperly repaired a point along the tracks.<ref name="dera"/> Investigators found that the derailment was caused by a switch malfunction triggered by a loose nut from track, and suspected that a repairman failed to tighten it during maintenance the previous night.<ref name="jd-nut"/> The switch's detectors signalled a problem earlier, however, a second maintenance crew failed to find the loose nut and didn't properly communicate the fact to the control center, which then allowed the train on the track.<ref name="jd-nut"/> The rail union criticised Korail's use of hired repairmen.<ref name="jd-nut"/> there were no problems with the train according to investigation.<ref name="dera">{{cite news |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/02/14/2011021400815.html |title=KTX Derailment Caused by Loose Nut |date=2011-02-14 |newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |access-date=2011-02-14}}</ref>

On July 15, 2011, 150 passengers were evacuated from a train when smoke started coming out of the train when it arrived at [[Miryang station]] at 11:30 AM.<ref name="3dis">{{cite news|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/07/18/2011071801213.html|title=3 Disruptions in a Weekend Add to Bullet Train's Woes|newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]]|date=2011-07-18|access-date=2011-07-18}}</ref> On July 17, 2011, at around 11 AM, a train stopped abruptly and stranded some 400 passengers in the {{convert|9.975|km|mi|abbr=on}} Hwanghak Tunnel for over an hour.<ref name="3dis" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20110718-289684.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524185211/http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Asia/Story/A1Story20110718-289684.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 24, 2012|title=2 KTX trains break down in space of hours|publisher=Asia One|date=2011-07-18|access-date=2011-07-18}}</ref> The train resumed service after emergency repairs to a malfunctioning motor.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2011/07/17/17/0302000000AEN20110717000951315F.HTML|title=High-speed train halted for hour inside tunnel|publisher=[[Yonhap News Agency]]|date=2011-07-17|access-date=2011-07-18}}</ref> A Korail spokesperson stated that the reason for the stop was due to "faults in the motor block that supplies power to the wheels". The same day, the air conditioning broke down on another train leaving Busan at 1:45 PM. Over 800 passengers were transferred to another train at Daejeon when the problem could not be fixed.<ref name="3dis" />

On December 7, 2018, a KTX train carrying 198 passengers derailed about five minutes after leaving Gangneung for Seoul injuring 15 passengers. The train was traveling at about 103&nbsp;km/h when almost all of its cars left the rails.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/world/2018/12/438495/14-injured-south-korean-ktx-bullet-train-derails|title=14 injured as South Korean KTX bullet train derails|website=nst.com.my|date=8 December 2018 |access-date=2019-02-12}}</ref>

On January 5, 2022, a KTX-Sancheon train bound for Busan from Seoul carrying 303 passengers and crew derailed at 12:58 PM while passing a tunnel in Yeongdong of North Chungcheong Province, about 215 kilometers south of Seoul, injuring 7 passengers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo8yyP0Qt5U|title=터널 안에서 KTX 탈선‥깨진 유리창에 7명 부상 (2022.01.06/뉴스투데이/MBC)|website=YouTube|publisher=[[MBC News]]|date=2022-01-05|access-date=2022-01-06}}</ref> The train was traveling at about 200&nbsp;km/h when it partially derailed, resulting in a bogie wheel from car number 4 running off the track before being violently ejected from the train, throwing up ballast and causing structural damage to train cars.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220105006652315?section=search|title=KTX train derails in central S. Korea, injuring 7 passengers|work=Yonhap News Agency |publisher=[[Yonhap News Agency]]|date=2022-01-05|access-date=2022-01-06 |author1=채윤환 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2022/01/281_321725.html|title=KTX train en route to Busan from Seoul derails, injuring 7|publisher=[[The Korea Times]]|date=2022-01-05|access-date=2022-01-06}}</ref> Subsequent KTX traffic was rerouted via the standard line, resulting in severe delays.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220106002800315?section=search|title=Train operations on Seoul-Busan line normalized after derailment recovery|work=Yonhap News Agency |publisher=[[Yonhap News Agency]]|date=2022-01-06|access-date=2022-01-06 |last1=Na-Young |first1=Kim }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2022/01/281_321774.html?RD|title=Train operations on Seoul-Busan line normalized after derailment recovery|publisher=[[The Korea Times]]|date=2022-01-06|access-date=2022-01-06}}</ref> Initially, it was believed that the derailment was caused by the train colliding with debris while passing Yeongdong Tunnel. However, evidence gathered from further investigation show that the missing bogie wheel was found inside Otan Tunnel, which is about 4&nbsp;km before Yeongdong Tunnel, leading the investigating team to believe the train derailed due to faults within the wheel bogie assembly rather than from impact with debris.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mbccb.co.kr/rb/?r=home&c=73/79&mod=view&seq=0059&rvdate=20220106|title=부산행 KTX 탈선 사고 원인, '열차 바퀴 파손' 추정|date=2022-01-05|access-date=2022-01-06}}</ref>

====Passenger comfort and convenience====
{{multiple image
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Passenger surveys in the first months found that the limited capacity of bus connections<ref name="complaints">{{cite news |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2005/03/25/socialAffairs/One-year-later-KTX-faces-rider-shortfalls-complaints/2546780.html |title=One year later, KTX faces rider shortfalls, complaints |date=2005-03-25 |newspaper=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]] |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114201217/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2005/03/25/socialAffairs/One-year-later-KTX-faces-rider-shortfalls-complaints/2546780.html |archive-date=2025-01-14}}</ref> and the lack of subway connections for intermediate stations, especially the newly built stations Gwangmyeong and Cheonan-Asan, was the problem mentioned most often.{{sfn|Suh|Yang|Lee|Ahn|2005|pp=186–187}} A better connection to Cheonan-Asan Station was provided by an extension of [[Seoul Subway Line 1]] along the [[Janghang Line]], opened on December 14, 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.donga.com/fbin/output?rss=1&n=200812140046 |script-title=ko:장항선 천안-신창 복선전철 개통 |language=ko |date=2008-12-14 |newspaper=[[The Dong-a Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121194246/http://www.donga.com/fbin/output?rss=1&n=200812140046 |archive-date=2013-01-21 }}</ref> Gwangmyeong Station was linked to the same subway line by a shuttle service on December 15, 2006, but it made little impact<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ekgib.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=439219 |title=KTX, 영등포역 등 정차... "정부에 속았다" 광명시 부글부글 |language=ko |date=2010-10-27 |publisher=Gyeonggi Ilbo |access-date=2010-11-13 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> due to the longtime differences between KTX and subway train schedules.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://article.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.asp?ctg=12&Total_ID=3215610 |title=한 칸 승객 2명 ... 공기만 싣고 달린다 |date=2008-07-07 |newspaper=[[JoongAng Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-10-29 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713120537/http://article.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.asp?ctg=12&Total_ID=3215610 |archive-date=2011-07-13 }}</ref>

The noise level in the trains during tunnel passages was also subject to passenger complaints.<ref name="mudflaps"/> This was referred to as a tunnel effect; it referred to both noise and vibration of the train when traveling through two specific tunnels.<ref name="dx.doi.org">Lee, J., Jin, B., & Ji, Y. (2009). Development of a Structural Equation Model for ride comfort of the Korean high-speed railway. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 39(1), 7–14. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2008.09.003</ref> The tunnel effect was specifically noted as a reason for passenger dissatisfaction.<ref name="Lee, J. 2009">Lee, J., Jin, B., Ji, Y., & Yun, M. (2009). Cultural differences in conceptual models of ride comfort for high-speed trains. Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing, 19(2), 128–144. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hfm.20141</ref> Sound waves that are generally dispersed in an open environment are reflected against the tunnel walls, which causes the sound waves to come in contact with the passenger cabin and produces noise.<ref name="Choi, S. 2004">Choi, S., Lee, C., Kim, J., & Cho, J. (2004). Interior Noise of a Korean High-Speed Train in Tunnels. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Australian Acoustical Society, 2004. 415-416. {{ISBN|0-909882-22-3}}; ISSN 1446-0998.</ref>

A reduction by 3–4&nbsp;[[Decibel#Acoustics|dB]] was achieved by retrofitting all trains with longer mud flaps at car ends until May 2006 to smooth the airflow at the articulated car joints.<ref name="mudflaps">{{cite web|url=http://info.korail.com/ROOT/news/board_view.jsp?boardType=&bbs=bbs1&seq=2166 |title=KTX터널소음 개선 |date=2005-10-06 |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-11-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722192047/http://info.korail.com/ROOT/news/board_view.jsp?boardType=&bbs=bbs1&seq=2166 |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref> However, measurements in 2009 found significantly higher interior noise levels at some locations in two tunnels.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.idaegu.co.kr/new_gisa.html?uid=183674 |title=KTX '총체적' 부실시공 의혹 |language=ko |date=2009-02-22 |publisher=Daegu Ilbo |access-date=2010-11-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718083442/http://www.idaegu.co.kr/new_gisa.html?uid=183674 |archive-date=2011-07-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Window thickness and sound insulation was improved in the KTX-II.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://webzine.korail.com/webzine/201003.pdf |title=RAIL 로 이 어 지 는 |language=ko |date=March 2010 |work=[[Korail]] Webzine |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-11-13 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The rails for high-speed trains like the KTX are welded together via a special techniques that make the rail a solid continuous rail; this method reduces the noise volume, which is produced by the wheels' contact with the rail, but it is not eliminated.<ref name="Choi, S. 2004"/>

The isolation of KTX-I trains against pressure variations during tunnel passages<ref name="al1"/> was insufficient for some passengers,{{sfn|Suh|Yang|Lee|Ahn|2005|p=182}} leading to efforts to reinforce pressurization in newer generations of trains.<ref name="jrtr-ng"/> Pressure variations have been known to cause passengers to experience ringing in their ears; the ventilation systems on the passenger cabins are sealed when the train enters a tunnel in order to reduce the pressure changes.<ref name="Choi, S. 2004"/> Pressure variations were not the only train cabin-associated complaint; KTX passengers were also known to have been negatively affected by inconsistent speeds of the trains.<ref name="dx.doi.org"/>

Some KTX passengers found high-speed travel in backwards facing seats dizzying.<ref name="complaints"/>{{sfn|Suh|Yang|Lee|Ahn|2005|p=182}} Along with dizziness, feelings of nausea, headache, and sleepiness could also be experienced.<ref name="dx.doi.org"/> Motion sickness was also noted as having had a minimal effect on KTX passengers; however, it still made an impact on passenger ride comfort.<ref name="dx.doi.org"/> When the original seats were selected for the KTX trains, the anthropometry of the main consumers, who were largely expected to be Korean, were not considered.<ref name="dx.doi.org"/> The seat design was found to have a significant effect on how passengers on the KTX trains rated the experience of their trip. Among the various factors that were considered to be vectors of discomfort were the angle of joints and specific areas of pressure, which were discovered to be present after an analysis of questionnaires that were completed by recent passengers.<ref name="dx.doi.org"/> The factors of the seats of concern to KTX passengers were the shape, pitch, width, and the amount of legroom between the rows of seats.<ref name="Lee, J. 2009"/> Swivel seats, which can be turned into the direction of travel, installed only on First Class in KTX-I trains,<ref name="al1"/> were made standard on both classes on newer generations of trains.<ref name="5yearJoong">{{cite news |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2009/04/01/industry/KTX-passengers-rise-47-over-a-fiveyear-duration/2902964.html |title=KTX passengers rise 47% over a five-year duration |date=2009-04-01 |newspaper=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]] |access-date=2009-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114200619/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2009/04/01/industry/KTX-passengers-rise-47-over-a-fiveyear-duration/2902964.html |archive-date=2025-01-14}}</ref>

Studies have shown that term "ride comfort" has been used as an all-encompassing term for the KTX passengers' over all experience on the trains.<ref name="dx.doi.org"/> While the KTX train is based on the French TGV model, it is considered to be more comfortable.<ref name="Lee, J. 2009"/> The passengers' overall experience with regards to over-all ride comfort has been looked at as a combination of their physical health and emotional state.<ref name="dx.doi.org"/> Fares were not included in the aforementioned questionnaires on ride comfort as there were variations in pricing due to seat arrangement, as well as weekday/weekend rates.<ref name="dx.doi.org"/>

==International export==
Railways using KTX technology are not limited to those in South Korea.

In June 2024, South Korea and [[Uzbekistan]] concluded a [[South Korean won|KRW]] 270 billion (approximately US$196 million) deal to apply KTX technology in Uzbekistan by supplying high-speed trains and Korail expertise. This is the first time KTX technology was exported.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Xu |first=Aiying |date=2024-06-17 |title=High-speed rail KTX to see first export via Uzbekistan deal |url=https://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Sci-Tech/view?articleId=253361 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=[[Korea.net]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618061051/https://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Sci-Tech/view?articleId=253361 |archive-date=2024-06-18 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=(LEAD) Hyundai Rotem secures 1st high-speed train export deal in Uzbekistan |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240614007251315 |access-date=7 November 2024 |work=Yonhap News Agency |date=14 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614191220/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240614007251315 |archive-date=14 June 2024}}</ref><ref name="ktx-eum-UTY">{{Cite web |last=Do |first=Byung-Uk |date=June 14, 2024 |title=Hyundai Rotem wins express train supply deal from Uzbekistan |url=https://www.kedglobal.com/business-politics/newsView/ked202406140018 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=[[The Korea Economic Daily]] |language=en}}</ref> As part of the deal, 6 sets of trains (of 7 cars each) known as [[UTY EMU-250]], which is a variant of [[KTX-Eum]] and capable of going up to {{Convert|250|km/h|mi/h|abbr=on}}, are to be supplied for {{Convert|1216|km|mi|abbr=on}} of rail in Uzbekistan. Operations are scheduled to begin in April 2027.<ref name="ktx-eum-UTY" />

==See also==
{{Portal|South Korea|Trains|Transport}}
* [[Super Rapid Train]] (SRT)
* [[High-speed rail in South Korea]]
* [[ITX-Saemaeul]]
* [[ITX-Maum]]
* [[Mugunghwa-ho]]
* [[Nuriro]]
* [[Rail transport in South Korea]]
* [[Transport in South Korea]]
* ''[[Train to Busan]]'', a horror film in which the KTX and [[KTX-I|its train]] feature heavily in the plot

==References==
; Citations
{{Reflist|2}}

; Bibliography
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite journal |last=Suh |first=Sunduck D. |title=Risk Management in a Large-Scale New Railway Transport System Project (Evaluation of Korean High Speed Railway Experience) |journal=IATSS Research |volume=24 |issue=2 |year=2000 |doi=10.1016/S0386-1112(14)60029-7 |doi-access=free }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Suh |first1=Sunduck D. |last2=Yang |first2=Keun-Yul |last3=Lee |first3=Jae-Hoon |last4=Ahn |first4=Byung-Min |last5=Kim |first5=Jeong Hyun |title=Effects of Korean Train Express (KTX) Operation on the National Transport System |journal=Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies |volume=5 |pages=175–189 |year=2005 |url=http://www.easts.info/on-line/proceedings_05/175.pdf |access-date=2011-02-13 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Hisung |last2=Moon |first2=Dae-Seop |title=Next Generation of Korea Train Express (KTX): Prospect and Strategies |journal=Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies |volume=5 |pages=255–262 |year=2005 |url=http://www.easts.info/on-line/proceedings_05/255.pdf |access-date=2011-02-13 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Cho |first1=Nam-Geon |last2=Chung |first2=Jin-Kyu |title=High Speed Rail Construction of Korea and Its Impact |journal=KRIHS Special Report Series |volume=12 |year=2008 |publisher=Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements |url=http://168.126.177.50/pub/docu/en/AD/ZA/ADZA2008AAN/ADZA-2008-AAN.PDF |access-date=2011-02-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529073047/http://168.126.177.50/pub/docu/en/AD/ZA/ADZA2008AAN/ADZA-2008-AAN.PDF |archive-date=2011-05-29 }}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|High speed rail in South Korea}}
* {{cite journal |last=Kim |first=Chun-Hwan |title=Transportation Revolution: The Korean High-speed Railway |journal=Japan Railway & Transport Review |issue=40 |date=May 2005 |pages=8–13 |url=http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr40/pdf/f08_kim.pdf |access-date=2010-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516004843/http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr40/pdf/f08_kim.pdf |archive-date=2011-05-16 |url-status=dead }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100612072458/http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&m=0004007002006&p=07&art_id=31583&lang=en KTX : Visitseoul - Official Seoul City Tourism]

{{Korail passenger train services}}
{{Korail Lines}}
{{KTX lines and services}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Korea Train Express| ]]
[[Category:High-speed rail in South Korea]]
[[Category:High-speed trains]]