Government to Provide KTX Usage Information to Local Governments for Managing Overseas Arrivals (Update)

As social distancing measures in response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) have been eased, passengers are boarding the southbound KTX train at Seoul Station. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced on the 18th that starting from the 20th, a 'Comprehensive Information Center' at the central government level will be established at Gwangmyeong Station, where overseas arrivals using KTX gather, to provide detailed transportation information to local governments.

Since March 22, the government has been implementing transportation support measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while overseas arrivals move from Incheon Airport to their local areas. For overseas arrivals, the government actively encourages returning home by private car, but if using a private car is difficult, they are to use dedicated airport buses and KTX (dedicated cars).

Considering the fatigue of local governments dispatching personnel to Incheon Airport and Gwangmyeong Station for guidance and transportation information regarding overseas arrivals, and to improve inefficiencies in performing tasks by region, the government established the Overseas Arrivals Comprehensive Information Center at Gwangmyeong Station. Going forward, dedicated personnel will identify detailed information for each arrival (name, contact information, private car usage, disembarkation station, final destination, etc.) and notify this information to local governments. However, the existing system will be maintained for the metropolitan area and Gangwon region, where separate transportation means such as charter buses are required.

The Comprehensive Information Center will have six dedicated personnel (a total of 12, working in two shifts) on duty at all times to perform support tasks. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, it is expected that about 600 people will use the Comprehensive Information Center daily.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters stated, "By having the central government collectively investigate and provide overseas arrival transportation information, which some local governments previously gathered separately at Gwangmyeong Station, we expect to establish a more efficient transportation system for overseas arrivals," and added, "We plan to continue thorough management to ensure there are no issues in supporting the movement of overseas arrivals."