'Seoul Transfer or Not, Safety First...' Kimpo Gold Line, Smell of Burning Again

'Burning Smell' on Kimgolla Line Train During Rush Hour
11 Reports Last Month... "We Will Identify the Cause"

Reports of a burning smell during rush hour on the Gimpo Urban Railway (Gimpo Gold Line), which is overcrowded and nicknamed 'Hell Train' and 'Golbyeong Line,' have been received again since the 28th.

According to the Gimpo Gold Line operator on the 6th, three reports of a burning smell on the Gimpo Gold Line train were received that morning. The train was heading to Gimpo Airport, and when a pungent smell was detected, citizens reported it through the operator's website.

Although the burning smell was strong, the operator reportedly only made an announcement asking passengers "not to be alarmed and to continue using the service."

Previously, on the 28th of last month, 11 similar reports were received on the Gimpo Gold Line. Passengers who boarded the train traveling from Gochon Station to Gimpo Airport Station noticed the worsening pungent smell and reported it not only to the operator but also to emergency services 119 and 112.

Upon receiving the reports, the Gimpo Gold Line operator moved the train to the depot for inspection and found that the burning smell was caused by damage to the train's brake pads, which contain synthetic rubber and metal. The operator had initially suspected that foreign substances stuck to the train wheels were causing friction and the smell but corrected their position after the inspection.

The operator plans to move the train back to the depot on this day to investigate the cause of the burning smell. The operator stated, "We will first identify whether the cause is the same as last time and then take follow-up measures."