Gijang County in Busan Welcomes First KTX-Eum Stop... Opening of the "KTX Era in Gijang"

Cheongnyangni (Seoul) to Bujeon (Busan) on the Jungang Line
Improved Access to the Seoul Metropolitan Area
and Boost to Local Tourism Anticipated

Gijang County (Governor Jung Jongbok) announced that at 8:24 a.m. on December 30, the first KTX-Eum train bound for Cheongnyangni departed from Gijang Station, officially marking the beginning of the "KTX-Eum era in Gijang County."

On this day, a welcoming event was held at Gijang Station, jointly organized by local resident groups, to commemorate the historic first stop of the KTX-Eum train.

Local residents are holding an event at Gijang Station to welcome the first operation of the KTX-Eum. Provided by Gijang County

Residents gathered on the platform at Gijang Station, holding welcome placards and waving at the departing train, sharing the joy of the inaugural stop. Participants in the event said, "The KTX-Eum stop at Gijang Station is the result of community unity and marks a new milestone for regional development."

The new route, which now stops at Gijang Station, is the KTX-Eum Jungang Line, traversing the Korean Peninsula from Cheongnyangni in Seoul to Bujeon in Busan. Following the inaugural run, the line will operate twice daily-once in each direction-connecting Seoul and Gijang in about three hours.

As a result, the inconvenience previously experienced by Gijang residents, who had to travel to Busan Station or Ulsan Station to reach Seoul, is expected to be greatly alleviated. With significantly improved access to the Seoul metropolitan area, not only will travel convenience increase, but the overall quality of life in the region is also expected to improve.

Additionally, the KTX-Eum stop at Gijang Station is anticipated to have a positive impact on tourism and the revitalization of local businesses. Gijang County plans to develop tourism packages that connect Gijang Station with the Osiria Tourism Complex-which attracts over 10 million visitors annually-and the nearby Gijang Market, a representative traditional market of Busan, thereby promoting both regional tourism and local commercial activity.

A Gijang County official stated, "From today, the transportation map of Gijang County has been completely transformed," adding, "With Gijang County, previously considered a transportation-isolated area, now directly connected to the Seoul metropolitan area, we expect this to bring new vitality and growth opportunities to the entire region."