Rail Strike: 75.1% Subway and 67.5% KTX Operation... 80% Commute Time Service

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] As the National Railway Workers' Union announced it would go on strike starting at 9 a.m. on the 2nd, Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) announced on the 1st that it will activate an emergency transportation system to ensure safe train operations and minimize public inconvenience.

Metropolitan subway lines and the Donghae Line subway will operate at 75.1% of normal service. To minimize inconvenience to citizens, trains and personnel will be concentrated during commuting hours, maintaining 89.6% of service during morning rush hour and 82.8% during evening rush hour.

KTX will operate at 67.5% of normal service, Saemaeul trains at 58.2%, and Mugunghwa trains at 62.5%. Freight trains will be operated at 26.3% of normal levels by deploying substitute drivers within KORAIL, focusing on urgent cargo such as export-import goods and essential industrial supplies.

The personnel operating during the strike will be about 60.5% of the usual 23,995 staff members, totaling 14,519 people, including 9,909 essential maintenance personnel and 4,610 substitutes.

The substitute personnel deployed are qualified individuals with train operation experience and emergency response capabilities, who have completed legally mandated training under the Railroad Safety Act and the Industrial Safety and Health Act, as well as sufficient practical training. All substitute drivers hold train driver licenses, and especially military personnel (electric train drivers, conductors) will be deployed after thorough on-site practical training and education.

KORAIL provides information about train usage during the strike through its website and mobile app 'KORAIL Talk.' Ticket sales for trains not operating during the strike are restricted, and customers who have already booked tickets will receive individual notifications via text messages.

During the strike notice period, fees for ticket refunds (cancellations) or changes are waived, and if train operations are suspended, tickets that are not canceled will be fully refunded without penalties.

At major subway transfer stations, order keepers will be intensively deployed to strengthen order maintenance on platforms and transfer stairs together with station staff and social service personnel.