To Prevent KTX and Commuter Train Power Outages on CSAT Day... Korail President Personally Inspects Guro Substation

"Reliable Power Supply Is the Starting Point for Stable Train Operations"

Kim Tae-seung, president of Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail), conducted a special inspection of a key substation that supplies electricity to Seoul Metropolitan Area subway lines and KTX trains ahead of next week's College Scholastic Ability Test.

According to Korail on November 10, President Kim visited Guro Railway Substation in Seoul that afternoon to check the operating status of its power equipment and its emergency response system. The substation converts the high-voltage electricity it receives from Korea Electric Power Corporation into a voltage suitable for train operations and feeds it into the overhead contact lines. A problem there could delay or disrupt KTX and Seoul Metropolitan Area commuter train services.

Korail President Kim Taeseung (right) inspects electrical facilities, including switchboards, using ultrasonic diagnostic equipment at the Guro Electric Substation on the afternoon of the 10th. Korail

Alongside on-site electrical technicians, Kim checked the maintenance of key equipment, including transformers and feeder cables. He also observed demonstrations of non-contact ultrasonic and thermal imaging diagnostics, which can detect equipment faults without requiring anyone to approach high-voltage lines, as well as drone inspections of overhead contact lines. The goal is to deploy equipment on site to detect signs of faults in advance while also reducing the risks of electric shock and falls for workers.

Kim also ordered improvements to equipment in preparation for the integration of high-speed rail services and the introduction of new high-speed trains. An increase in train services can raise the electrical load and cause waveform distortion. He instructed officials to install more harmonic reduction devices (RLC banks), which stabilize current, and to use fault recorders to continuously monitor power conditions and prepare in advance for changes in operating conditions.

Korail will conduct intensive inspections of vulnerable points across the national rail network through the day of the College Scholastic Ability Test. The company plans to operate its emergency response system to enable immediate recovery in the event of an unexpected disruption and help students travel safely.

"Reliable power supply is the starting point for stable train operations," Kim said. "We will strengthen railway safety and protect workers by expanding the development and on-site application of advanced diagnostic technologies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.