KTX Made with Imported French Technology Now Stands Shoulder to Shoulder with France

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The KTX technology, which was developed 16 years ago by adopting the French high-speed train TGV technology, has now reached a level comparable to that of France. At France's request, a joint study on high-speed rail track improvement is underway.

Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) announced on the 9th that it will promote a joint research project on French high-speed rail tracks at the request of the French National Railway Company (SNCF).

This joint research was proposed by SNCF. It concerns ways to improve the efficiency of equipment and maintenance for the renovation project of the aging high-speed rail track on the Paris~Lyon section, 573 km long, which was established as the first European high-speed rail line in 1981.

KORAIL introduced TGV high-speed rail technology from France when opening the Gyeongbu High-Speed Railway in 2004 to create the KTX. However, 16 years later, it has now received a joint research proposal from France. Since 2004, KORAIL has regularly conducted technical training and exchanges with SNCF.

Currently, SNCF is considering changing the Paris~Lyon section track, which is laid with gravel tracks, to concrete tracks. France has no experience operating high-speed trains on concrete tracks yet. On the other hand, Korean railway authorities laid the first phase of the Gyeongbu High-Speed Railway from Seoul to Dongdaegu with gravel tracks like France, but the second phase from Dongdaegu to Busan, opened in 2010, was constructed and operated with concrete tracks.

SNCF highly values the efficiency of train operation and maintenance of KORAIL's KTX and has shown deep interest in the upgrading of existing gravel tracks to concrete tracks without disrupting train operations, such as on the metropolitan subway Gwacheon Line and some tunnel sections of general railways.

The joint research will involve KORAIL, Korea Rail Network Authority, and Korea Railroad Research Institute. To promote the joint research, the two countries' organizations have discussed detailed topics and methods through three video conferences and will soon sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate the research.

Son Byeong-seok, President of KORAIL, said, "It is very meaningful that we have developed from a country that imported high-speed rail technology to one that is now confidently receiving proposals as a partner," adding, "We will successfully carry out the project and take this opportunity to showcase the excellent operational capabilities of Korean railways to the world."