Seoul-Gwangmyeong KTX to Cut 9 Minutes and Add More Trains... Dedicated High-Speed Rail Line Opens in 2036

Ministry of Land to Announce Basic Plan for Susaek-Gwangmyeong High-Speed Rail Line on August 19

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it will finalize and officially announce the basic plan on August 19 for constructing a high-speed rail line exclusively running from Susaek to Gwangmyeong.

This project involves a total investment of 3.233 trillion won to build an underground, high-speed rail shortcut stretching 24.5 kilometers through Susaek, Seoul, Yongsan, and Gwangmyeong. The target for opening is set for 2036. Currently, the section between Seoul and Gwangmyeong is shared by high-speed trains, regular trains, subway trains, and freight trains, resulting in limitations on reducing travel time or increasing train frequency.

Susaek~Gwangmyeong High-Speed Rail Basic Plan Route. Provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

With the opening of this dedicated high-speed rail line, the government explained that the operating routes of high-speed rail and conventional rail will be separated. This is expected to decrease train interference, and improve both travel time and punctuality. The travel time between Haengsin and Gwangmyeong is expected to be reduced by approximately 17 minutes and 30 seconds, while the Seoul to Gwangmyeong section will decrease by about 9 minutes and 15 seconds. Track capacity will also increase, with high-speed line capacity expanding to 238 services per day. The number of daily KTX trains, currently at 147, is expected to rise to 183.

Kim Taebyeong, Director General for Railroad Policy at the Ministry, stated, "We will proceed with this project without delay, in conjunction with the Pyeongtaek~Osong High-Speed Rail capacity expansion, so that the public can use high-speed rail more conveniently."

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