Korea's first bullet train has officially gone into service, promising to change people's lives by linking major cities in just half a day. Although the launch comes after 12 years of construction due to delays caused by cost overruns, route and design changes, officials are hoping this will be a coming-of-age for a country that is working to emerge as a world leader in technology.
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The first train heading for Busan leaves Seoul Station at 5:05 on Thursday morning.
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The cone-nosed, blue-and-silver-grey bullet train hit the rails April 1, marking an official launch of the KTX (Korea Train Express). The first train heading for Busan left Seoul Station at 5:05 in the morning running at an ear-popping speed of 300 kilometers per hour and arrived at the southeastern port city in just two hours and 40 minutes. That's almost half the travel time on a conventional train.
The US$12 billion project carries with it the country's hopes for a new takeoff in economic advances. Officials at the state-run Korean National Railroad say businessmen can look forward to making more out of their shortened business trips while companies can expect to save a combined US$1.6 billion in logistics cost in 2005 alone.
Aside from the economic contributions, the KTX aims to provide passengers in search of leisure activities with a faster means of transportation to allow for one-day agendas either in the urban or rural areas. With the launch of the bullet train, railway officials are also hoping to ease the country's chronic traffic congestion.
Arirang TV
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