- South Korea develops EMU-370, a next-gen high-speed train reaching 407 kph.
- Project backed by government and private firms; commercialization expected after 2031.
- Train offers faster, smoother, quieter travel, boosting connectivity and economic equality.
The government has finalized the creation of essential technologies for a next-gen high-speed train that can run at 370 kilometers per hour, positioning it as the world’s second-fastest in commercial operating speed, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced.
The train, designated EMU-370, is engineered to reach a peak speed of 407 kph. Launched as part of a national research and development initiative overseen by the Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI), with involvement from seven public and private entities, the project is scheduled to take place from April 2022 to December 2025.
The government intends to start producing the initial EMU-370 vehicles next year and perform test operations in 2030, with commercialization anticipated post-2031. When operational, the EMU-370 would hold the second position worldwide in commercial speed, trailing China’s CR450, which is currently being tested at 400 kph in anticipation of its intended commercial debut in 2027. Key high-speed trains in France, Germany, and Japan presently run at approximately 320 kph.
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In comparison to Korea’s fastest train, the EMU-320, also called KTX-Cheongyong, the EMU-370 has a 47.4 percent increase in motor output, 12.3 percent lower aerodynamic drag, a 33 percent decrease in horizontal vibration acceleration, and a 2-decibel reduction in interior noise. The train accommodates 479 passengers and possesses a motor capacity of 560 kilowatts, which matches the total output of 75 average sedans.
The government claims the EMU-370 will make every domestic area accessible in two hours, improving regional economic equality. Authorities anticipate that Korea will bolster its stance in the worldwide high-speed rail sector, which is progressively shifting towards trains able to achieve speeds of 350 kph or more.