KTX 20th Anniversary... Next-Generation High-Speed Train 'KTX-Cheongryong' to Launch in May

The name of the next-generation high-speed train has been decided as 'KTX-CHEONG-RYONG'. Born in 2024, the 'Year of the Blue Dragon,' the name carries the meaning of soaring higher and more splendidly.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is receiving a duty report from KTX Captain Lee Jae-wook at the naming ceremony of the next-generation high-speed train held at Daejeon Station on the 1st. / Photo by Presidential Office Press Photographers Group

Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) held the 'KTX 20th Anniversary Ceremony' on the morning of the 1st at its headquarters in Daejeon. President Yoon Suk-yeol, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo, KORAIL President Han Moon-hee, Fran?ois Davenne, Secretary General of the International Union of Railways (UIC), along with about 650 representatives of the people and railway officials attended the event.

KTX opened on April 1, 2004, and reached 1 billion passengers last year. President Han reported on the progress of KTX's 20th anniversary, and following President Yoon's commemorative speech, a celebratory ceremony was held with representatives of children and families of railway employees. President Yoon said, "With the opening of the high-speed railway, our lives have completely changed, and travel time across the country has been drastically reduced, connecting the metropolitan area and provinces into a half-day living zone," adding, "We will expand the high-speed rail network nationwide to realize a two-hour living zone across the country."

The KTX-CHEONG-RYONG, named ahead of the ceremony, was selected through two rounds of nationwide public train name contests, naming development, and consultation with branding experts. KORAIL announced that it was chosen from a total of 9,192 candidate proposals. KTX-CHEONG-RYONG will be deployed on the Gyeongbu and Honam lines starting in May. President Han said, "I deeply thank everyone for the warm interest and love over the past 20 years," and added, "We will strive to carry the support of the people and continue the happiness of the new 100 years."

Meanwhile, KORAIL is conducting various appreciation events, including a raffle for those born in 2004 to receive KTX first-class upgrade coupons, and selecting 2,024 vulnerable people throughout April to embark on their 'First KTX Happy Train' journey. At the former Seoul Station, 'Culture Station Seoul 284,' a railway culture exhibition is being held until the 21st, and at 34 KTX stations nationwide, visitors can enjoy life photo booths and exhibitions.