Autumn 2024. Ten years after my first trip to Seoul in 2014, I am returning to the Republic of Korea, better known as South Korea. Not solo this time, but with Oriol, who has never been to Korea. On the itinerary: flying with Qatar Airways to Incheon via Doha, the capital Seoul, the historic city of Gyeongju, Busan, Jeju Island and a second stint in Seoul, where we are joined by Sehyeon. We’re spending two weeks in South Korea. The ROK is such a popular destination now. Will we experience overtourism?  

South Korea has completed the development of core technologies for a next-generation high-speed train capable of operating at 370 kilometres per hour in commercial service, a level that would make it the world’s second-fastest by operating speed. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the milestone on Monday 222 December 2025, confirming that test operations are scheduled to begin in 2030.

Once introduced into service, the new train is expected to cut travel time between Seoul and Busan to around 110 minutes, effectively bringing the entire country within a two-hour travel range.

Development programme and technical specifications

The train, named EMU-370, has a technically designed maximum speed of 407 kph. It was developed under a national research and development programme led by the Korea Railroad Research Institute, with participation from seven public institutions and private companies. The four-year project ran from 2022 to 2025.

A total of 22.5 billion won (approximately €14.0 million) was invested in the programme, including 18 billion won from the government and 4.5 billion won from the private sector.

According to the ministry, the project independently developed six core technologies addressing key challenges that intensify at speeds above 350 kph, including driving resistance, vibration and noise.

Key technological advances

At the heart of the EMU-370 is a newly developed high-speed electric motor with a capacity of 560 kilowatts. Through miniaturisation, high-density packaging of components, improved cooling performance and enhanced insulation, engineers achieved a 47.4% increase in output compared with Korea’s current fastest train, the EMU-320 (KTX-Cheongryong). The motor’s output is equivalent to that of 75 medium-sized cars.

Aerodynamic performance has also been significantly improved. By streamlining the front of the train and minimising protrusions such as rooftop air-conditioning units, air resistance has been reduced by 12.3%.

Lateral vibration acceleration, which causes side-to-side swaying at very high speeds, has been cut by more than 30 per cent. Despite the increase in operating speed, interior noise levels have been reduced to between 68 and 73 decibels, around 2 decibels lower than those recorded in the KTX-Cheongryong.

In addition, train doors that were previously dependent on imported components have been redesigned for domestic production, further strengthening Korea’s rail manufacturing capabilities.

Production, testing and commercial rollout

The government plans to begin manufacturing 16-car EMU-370 trainsets next year. Test operations are scheduled to start in 2030 on the Pyeongtaek–Osong high-speed rail section, with commercial service expected to begin in 2031.

If the timetable is met, the EMU-370 will rank second globally in terms of commercial operating speed, behind China’s CR450, which is currently undergoing tests at 400 kph ahead of a planned commercial launch in 2027. By comparison, high-speed trains in France, Germany and Japan typically operate at around 320 kph.

Faster journeys nationwide

Once in service, the EMU-370 is expected to reduce travel times between major cities to around one hour. The Seoul–Busan journey will take approximately 110 minutes, while travel between Seoul and Gwangju is expected to fall to about 70 minutes.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said the project would connect the entire nation into a single transport sphere and contribute to more balanced national development.

Strategic ambitions and future plans

Officials also see the EMU-370 as a platform for strengthening South Korea’s position in the global high-speed rail market, which is increasingly shifting towards systems capable of operating at 350 kph or faster. The ministry has stated that the project lays the groundwork for future rail exports.

Kang Hee-up, vice minister for transport, said the achievement marked the independent acquisition of 370 kph high-speed rail technology through cooperation between government, public institutions and private companies, just 20 years after South Korea introduced high-speed rail services.

The government has confirmed that development of core technologies for third-generation high-speed trains capable of operating at 400 kph will begin next year, with the aim of positioning South Korea as a global leader in railway technology.

South Korea 2024

1. QUESTION | Should you be scared of travelling to South Korea?.
2. REVIEW | Qatar Airways – economy – Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner – Brussels to Doha.
3. QATAR | Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha.
4. REVIEW | Qatar Airways – economy – Airbus A350 – Doha to Seoul / Incheon.
5. SOUTH KOREA | Landing at Incheon, retrieving the Wowpass and taking the AREX to Seoul Station.
6. REVIEW | Fraser Place Namdaemun Seoul near City Hall.
7. SEOUL | Deoksugung Palace by day.
8. SEOUL | Admiral Yi Sun-sin – King Sejong the Great – Gyeongbokgung Palace – National Folk Museum SEOUL | Admiral Yi Sun-sin – King Sejong the Great – Gyeongbokgung Palace – National Folk Museum.
9. SEOUL | Bukchon Hanok Village – Insadong Culture Street – Jogyesa Temple – Gwangjang Market – Cheonggyecheon Stream.
10. SEOUL 2024 | Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
11. SHOPPING IN SEOUL | Myeongdong – Lotte Young Plaza – Avenuel – Lotte Department Store.
12. SEOUL | Namsan Mountain Park and N Seoul Tower.
13. SOUTH KOREA | Seoul Station.
14. REVIEW | Korail KTX Seoul – Gyeongju – Busan.
15. GYEONGJU | Daereungwong – Cheonmachong – Cheomseongdae Observatory – Banwolseong Fortress – Anapji Pond – Woljeonggyo Bridge – Gyo-dong.
16. REVIEW | Hotel Palace in Gyeongju.
17. GYEONGJU | Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto.
18. GYEONGJU | Woljeonggyo Bridge – Gyeongju National Museum – Eupseong Fortress – Shopping.
19. REVIEW | Korail KTX Gyeongju to Busan 1st class.
20. BUSAN | Gamcheon Culture Village.
21. BUSAN | Jagalchi Fish Market.
22. REVIEW | Commodore Hotel Busan.
23. KOREA | Haedong Yonggung Temple in Busan.
24. BUSAN | Haedong Blue Line Park, Sky Capsules, Beach Train and Haeundae Green Railway.
25. BUSAN | Shinsegae Centum City Department Store, Gwangalli Beach, Busan Tower.
26. QUEER KOREA | Beomil-ro, Busan’s gay street.
27. SOUTH KOREA | Jin Air from Busan to Jeju.
28. SOUTH KOREA | Jeju City during Tamna Culture Festival.
29. REVIEW | Astar Hotel in Jeju City.
30. JEJU ISLAND | Hamdeok Beach – Seongsan Ilchilbong volcano – Ilchulland with lava tube – Wonang Waterfalls – Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls.
31. JEJU ISLAND | Sojeonbang & Jeonbang Waterfalls – Eongtto Waterfalls – Gaetkkak Jusangjeollidae Cliffs – Cheonjeyeon Waterfall & Seonim Bridge.
32. JEJU ISLAND | Museum of Sex and Health in Seogwipo.
33. JEJU ISLAND | Eongal Coastal Trail and Iho Tewoo Horse Lighthouses.
34. SOUTH KOREA | Jeju Island.
35. HOW TO | Hotel saunas in South Korea.
36. SOUTH KOREA | Flying Jin Air from Jeju City to Seoul Gimpo.
37. SEOUL | Changdeokgung – Secret Garden – Changgyeonggung.
38. SEOUL | Seodaemun Hongje Waterfall – Yeouido Hangang Park – Ttukseom Hangang Park – 2024 Seoul Hangang River Light Drone Light Show – Hwayang-dong.
39. SEOUL | Gangnam – Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs – Starfield COEX Mall & Library – Banpo Hangang Park – Some Sevit.
40. GAY ITAEWON | Homo Hill = Usadan-ro 12-gil (우사단로12길) in Seoul, South Korea.
41. GAY SEOUL | Jongno 3-ga ft. Bar MoU.
42. SEOUL | Skipping Myeongdong to shop at Starfield COEX Mall in Gangnam.
43. SEOUL | Spa 5 aka Lotte Boseuk Sauna Jjimjilbang in Gangnam.
44. SOUTH KOREA | Five days in Seoul.
45. QATAR AIRWAYS | Seoul Incheon – Doha – Brussels.
46. SOUTH KOREA 2024 | Impressions and observations.
47. ANSWER | Should you be scared of travelling to South Korea?.