Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL) has begun full-scale work on the introduction of the EMU-370, a next-generation high-speed train capable of commercial operation at up to 370 km/h.
KORAIL said Wednesday that it held a project kickoff meeting on Sept. 15 at Hyundai Rotem’s Changwon plant in South Gyeongsang Province. About 40 officials from KORAIL and Hyundai Rotem, the train’s manufacturer, attended the meeting.
The two companies reviewed the production schedule, manufacturing facilities, project organization, design plans and quality assurance measures as they prepare to move into the main production phase.
The EMU-370 will consist of 16 cars per trainset, with a maximum commercial operating speed of 370 km/h and a design speed of 400 km/h. The project is being pursued in line with the government’s policy to introduce next-generation high-speed rail capable of operating at 400 km/h.
The new train will feature the Intelligent Energy-Efficient Operation System (IEOS), which will be applied to a Korean high-speed train for the first time. The system automatically controls train operations based on optimized running patterns for individual rail sections, with the aim of improving operating efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
The EMU-370 will also incorporate technologies designed to improve safety and ride comfort at high speeds. These include strengthened ride-comfort standards, operating conditions designed to account for extreme weather and condition-based maintenance (CBM) systems that monitor the condition of key components to help determine when maintenance is required.
The exterior will feature an aerodynamic design optimized for high-speed operation, while the passenger cabin will receive an updated interior design. A dedicated first-class section and expanded luggage storage areas will also be provided to improve passenger convenience.
KORAIL plans to use the project not only to introduce new rolling stock but also to strengthen its capabilities in high-speed train operation and maintenance. The company will closely oversee design, manufacturing and quality-control processes throughout production.
“EMU-370 is an important project as we prepare for an era of higher-speed rail service in Korea,” said Cha Jae-hwan, head of KORAIL’s Rolling Stock Division. “We will thoroughly manage the production process to ensure the safe and timely introduction of a high-speed train that is both safe and convenient for passengers.”
