KTX Service to Begin at Eocheon Station in Hwaseong in December...Two-Hour Journey to Busan and Mokpo

Hwaseong Special City (Mayor Jung Myung-geun) announced on the 16th that the Incheon-originated KTX direct service project has entered its final stages, targeting completion by the end of December.

The Korea Railroad Corporation will begin full-scale testing starting from September 17th in the late night hours, with KTX trains entering Songdo Station for the first time along the Suin-Bundang Line tracks. Preliminary inspections are scheduled from mid-September through October, followed by commercial test operations beginning in December.

The Incheon-originated KTX direct service project involves upgrading Eocheon Station in Hwaseong, Choji Station in Ansan, and Songdo Station in Incheon, as well as constructing a new 3.2-kilometer section connecting the Suin Line and Gyeongbu High-Speed Line. A total project investment of 568.1 billion won has been allocated.

The Korea Railroad Corporation is conducting final inspections of all systems including roadbeds, tracks, signaling systems, and electrical facilities, targeting completion by the end of December.

Once the project is completed, a new KTX route will be established via Eocheon Station, allowing Hwaseong residents to access high-speed rail within the region without having to travel to Gwangmyeong Station or Seoul's Yongsan Station.

After opening, travel from Eocheon to Songdo will take 23 minutes, and travel to Busan and Mokpo can be completed within two hours, reducing travel time by over one hour compared to existing routes. This is expected to significantly improve residents' long-distance travel convenience and enhance Hwaseong's regional transportation accessibility.

Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jung Myung-geun stated, "Once the Incheon-originated KTX direct service project is completed and Eocheon Station is connected to the nationwide KTX rail network, residents' travel convenience will be greatly improved, and it is expected to help expand inter-regional exchange and revitalize the local economy." He added, "We will work closely with relevant agencies including the Korea Railroad Corporation and Incheon City to support opening preparations and explore follow-up measures to enhance convenience for Eocheon Station users."

The city plans to coordinate with relevant departments on measures to improve surrounding transportation infrastructure, including enhancing accessibility to Eocheon Station and improving transfer systems to coincide with the opening.