Passenger Transport
KORAIL’s Passenger Transport Business HQ
provides passenger railway services to the citizens by operating high-speed trains (KTX, KTX-Sancheon) and intercity/regional trains (ITX-Saemaeul, Saemaeul, Mugunghwa Nuriro, Commuter Train).
High speed rail services enabled people to travel anywhere in Korea a within a half day, subsequently altering people’s lifestyle since its operation in 2004. Opening of the Gangneung Line in 2017 completed half-day living sphere nationwide, both in name and reality.
Also, KORAIL operates intercity/regional train services approximately on 90 main and branch lines for the public nature of trains.
By creating customer value and leading the transport sector, the Passenger Transport HQ will establish the stepping stone for KORAIL’s future, where it connects people, the world and the future
By creating customer value and leading the transport sector, the Passenger Transport HQ will establish the stepping stone for KORAIL’s future, where it connects people, the world and the future

Main Duties at Passenger Transport HQ
- Establishing mid- to long-term management strategies for the passenger industry and major work plans
- Establishing
- Developing tour packages or train tour related products
- Scheduling high-speed/intercity/regional/ train operation and trainof crews
- Planning for construction such as station building projects
- Establishing passenger sales and fare systems
- Improving station operation and customer services
number of trips(times)
- open the KTX(2004):Weekday 749
- open the KTX(2004):weekend 607
- 2019 year:Weekday 943
- 2019 year:weekend 613
- 2020 year:Weekday 967
- 2020 year:weekend 633
Annual users
- open the KTX(2004):111,214,000
- 2019 year:139,531,000
- 2020 year:85,226,000
History of KORAIL’s Passenger Railway
Scroll left and right
Opening date | Operating sections | Opening date | Operating sections |
---|---|---|---|
Jan. 5, 2021 | Jungang Line (Wonju–Jecheon/Dodam–Danchon) | Jan. 26, 2018 | Opened Donghae Line (Pohang–Yeongdeok) |
Dec. 22, 2017 | Opened Gangneung Line | Apr. 2, 2015 | Opened Honam HSR and Donghae Line |
Nov. 1, 2010 | Opened 2nd phase of the Gyeongbu HSR | Mar. 2, 2010 | Launched KTX-Sancheon service |
Apr. 1, 2004 | Launched High-speed trains (KTX) service | Mar. 24, 2004 | Double-tracked Honam Line |
Feb. 20, 1997 | Yeongdong Line (Yeongju–Gangneung) | Oct. 17, 1980 | Double-tracked Chungbuk Line (Jochiwon–Bongyang) |
Dec. 5, 1975 | Yeongdong Line (Cheoram–Bukpyeong) | Oct. 16, 1973 | Taebaek Line (Jecheon–Gohan) |
Feb. 7, 1968 | Gyeongjeon Line (Jinju–Gwangyang) | Nov. 9, 1966 | Gyeongbuk Line (Yeongju–Yecheon) |
Jan. 19, 1966 | Gohan Line (Yemi–Gohan) | Sep. 18, 1965 | Gyeongin Line (Yeongdeungpo–Incheon) |
Aug. 20, 1963 | Seoul Suburb Line (Neunggok–Uijeongbu) | Dec. 31, 1955 | Yeongam Line (Yeongju–Cheoram) |
Apr. 1, 1942 | Jungang Line (Cheongnyangni–Gyeongju) | Jul. 25, 1939 | Gyeongchun Line (Seongdong–Chuncheon) |
Dec. 16, 1936 | Jeolla Line (Iksan–Yeosu) | Aug. 1, 1931 | Janghang Line (Cheonan–Janghang) |
Dec. 25, 1929 | Chungbuk Line (Jochiwon–Chungju) | Aug. 16, 1914 | Gyeongwon Line (Yongsan–Wonsan) |
Jan. 11, 1914 | Honam Line (Daejeon–Mokpo) | Apr. 3, 1906 | Gyeongui Line (Seoul–Sinuiju) |
Jan. 1, 1905 | Gyeongbu Line (Seoul–Busan) | Sep. 18, 1899 | Gyeongin Line (Noryangjin–Jemulpo) |