Incheon City is now entering the final stage toward the dawn of the high-speed rail era—a long-cherished dream of its 3.05 million residents.
On the 16th, Incheon Metropolitan City announced that it had received notification from the Korea National Railway that “comprehensive test runs”—the final phase before the launch of the Incheon-departing KTX—are scheduled to begin on the 17th.
The comprehensive test runs being conducted this time are intended to ensure the safety of train operations under conditions identical to actual commercial service and to comprehensively inspect everything from core railway systems—such as signaling and power—to passenger amenities, including stations and platforms.
The operation schedule is set to proceed strictly in stages, beginning with preliminary inspections on the 17th, followed by facility verification tests in October, and then commercial trial runs.
The Incheon-KTX Direct Connection Project involves constructing a new 3.19-kilometer section connecting the Suin Line and the Gyeongbu High-Speed Line, as well as expanding three existing stations: Songdo Station, Choryeong Station, and Eocheon Station. As of September 16, the project is approximately 86% complete; major construction work—including subgrade, track, and systems—was completed by August, and the project is proceeding on schedule with the goal of opening by the end of the year.
However, the Korea National Railway Corporation has stated that if any issues requiring corrective action arise during test runs or safety inspections, it will thoroughly implement the necessary measures in accordance with the principle of “citizen safety first.” Accordingly, the corporation is leaving open the possibility that the opening schedule may be adjusted slightly (by 1–2 months) depending on the results of future detailed inspections.
In addition, a specific train operation plan to support actual commercial service will be finalized shortly. The Korea National Railway Corporation and the Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail) plan to carefully review track conditions and existing train schedules to finalize the number of trains to be deployed, the frequency of service, and the timetable.
Once the Incheon-departing KTX line is fully opened, regional transportation convenience for residents of Incheon and the southwestern Gyeonggi area will be dramatically improved. Travel times will be reduced to approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes from Incheon to Busan and approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes to Mokpo, bringing major cities nationwide within a true “half-day commute.”
The Mayor of Incheon stated, “The comprehensive test runs beginning on September 17 are a meaningful process to inform our citizens that the opening of the Incheon-departing KTX is just around the corner,” adding, “We will do our utmost to prepare for the opening by actively coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure citizens can use the KTX safely and conveniently through thorough safety inspections and preparations right up to the very end.”
