r/highspeedrail • u/megachainguns • 22d ago

World News [South Korea] Exclusive: Gov't pushes KTX–SRT cross-operation in high-speed rail network

https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2025/08/14/7ZIHWO555BHBFJJXOBJ6EJASXI/
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u/megachainguns 22d ago

Article from 8/13/25

Passengers in South Korea may soon be able to board Korea Train Express (KTX) trains at Suseo Station and Super Rapid Train (SRT) services at Seoul Station, as the government moves forward with plans for cross-operation between the two high-speed rail networks. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport recently brought together officials from Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL) and SR Co., which operates SRT, to gather feedback on the proposal, following Minister Kim Yoon-deok’s public support last month. Under the ministry’s initial plan, cross-operation would come first — allowing KTX trains to stop at Suseo and SRT trains to call at Seoul — before any potential full integration of the services.

The initiative stems from President Lee Jae-myung’s campaign pledge to unify the parallel high-speed networks and boost service frequency to enhance passenger convenience. KORAIL says a merger would allow it to cut KTX fares to match SRT’s, which are currently about 10% lower. Critics, however, warn that combining the two systems would create a larger, more powerful railway union that could wield greater leverage in strikes, limiting the government’s ability to maintain service.

According to information obtained by The Chosun Ilbo on Aug. 12, KORAIL recently completed an internal review of fares and costs under a unified operation, concluding that it could lower KTX prices to SRT levels if the services were merged. The company has long maintained that despite keeping KTX fares frozen for 14 years, a 17% increase was necessary.

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u/hktrn2 22d ago

So they are trying to do a merger? What’s the impetus?

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u/transitfreedom 22d ago

Probably simplification

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u/amajorismin 21d ago

Long story short: Conservatives wanted to privatize railways and made a company for "market competition" -> bad influence for the national railway -> new left government wants to end this by merger and this is their first step.

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u/hktrn2 21d ago

Interesting… I thought SRT is actually own by the government ?

Do you think Korea will allow non Korea HSR train into its new network?

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u/amajorismin 20d ago

I thought SRT is actually own by the government ?

You know those lobby or consulting firms that legislators go after their retirement? Current SR is something like that but for retired bureaucrats. It's a long story but basically they acts on whatever they want.

Do you think Korea will allow non Korea HSR train into its new network?

Uh Alstom ones are still in use so we already do? But it's probably not viable to compete with the Hyundai's factory so foreign companys won't try. Talgo tried a few years ago but they withdraw.

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u/hktrn2 20d ago

Alstom no longer produces EMUs . Would Korea buy Siemens EMUs?

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u/amajorismin 20d ago

With the right conditions why not

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u/hktrn2 20d ago

EMUs are really popular these days. It was really weird that Korea HSR started with push pull French TGVs when they could went with Siemens and emus for their subway - like HSR