The KTX-Eum train, with a maximum speed of 260 km/h, will begin new operations on the Donghae Line between Gangneung and Busan, and new stops such as Shin Haeundae will be added to the existing Seoul (Cheongnyangni) to Busan route. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 15th that from the 30th, the KTX-Eum will be fully deployed on the Jungang Line (Cheongnyangni to Bujeon) and the Donghae Line (Gangneung to Bujeon), allowing travel within the central and east coast regions in about 3 hours.
The Jungang Line is a route that traverses the inland of the Korean Peninsula from Seoul to Busan. Utilizing the speed increase effect from the signal system improvement between Andong and Yeongcheon, additional trains and new stops will be introduced. The number of operations on the Cheongnyangni to Bujeon section will be tripled from 6 to 18 times a day, and the Cheongnyangni to Andong section will be increased from 18 to 20 times, significantly improving passenger convenience.
The travel time for the Cheongnyangni to Bujeon section will be reduced from the previous 3 hours and 56 minutes to 3 hours and 38 minutes based on the shortest KTX-Eum time. To enhance transportation convenience for local residents and visitors, some trains will stop at stations such as Deokso, Bukulsan, Namchang, Gijang, Shin Haeundae, and Centum, with adjustments to the number of stops being considered based on future passenger demand.
Additionally, six new KTX-Eum trains will be introduced on the Donghae Line from Bujeon (Busan) to Gangneung, which opened in January this year and is currently operated by ITX-Ma-eum. This will reduce the average travel time from Bujeon to Gangneung to 3 hours and 54 minutes, 1 hour and 10 minutes shorter than the current ITX-Ma-eum travel time. The introduction of KTX-Eum is expected to connect Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongbuk, and Gangwon regions into a one-day living area, boosting tourism demand and regional development.