Once the train service is up and running, which is expected by 2015, Korea will be the fourth country in the world with the over-400-KPH high-speed train, followed by France, China, and Japan.

Seoul, KOREA ¶ May 18, 2012 -- The high-speed train will get even faster, with only 1 hour and 30 minutes from end to end across Korea. The Ministry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs on May 16 unveiled the 430-kilometers-per-hour train (model name HEMU-430X) in the Changwon Central Station in Kyeongnam Province. The next-generation bullet train has been developed fully by domestic technology and manufacturing know-how.

Once the train service is up and running, which is expected by 2015, Korea will be the fourth country in the world with the over-400-KPH high-speed train, followed by France, China, and Japan.

The development project for the new train was led by the ministry that has spent 93 billion won (approximately US$80 million) since 2007, with more than 50 partner companies and organizations including the Korea Railroad Research Institute and Hyundai Rotem as the rolling stock manufacturer.

The Minister of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs Kwon Do-youp said, “The next-generation high-speed train will contribute meaningfully to regional integration by linking the remotest locations within 90 minutes. The train will also help us leap into the world’s No. 1 nation in high-speed train technology. We at the ministry will do our best to make the railroad-related technology a new growth engine.”

Sean Chung (press@whowired.com)