Latest news with #Korail
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Climate
- Korea Herald
SRT service in southern part of S. Korea partially suspended due to torrential rains
High-speed rail services on some sections of the Honam and Gyeongjeon lines were suspended Thursday due to heavy rains in central and southern parts of the country, the operator said. According to SR Corp., operator of the Super Rapid Train (SRT) that departs from Suseo Station in southern Seoul, services have been halted between Gwangju Songjeong Station and Mokpo Station on the Honam Line in the southern part of the country. On the Gyeongjeon Line, SRT Train No. 384 has been completely suspended, while Train No. 383 has stopped operating between Dongdaegu Station and Jinju Station, the company added. Meanwhile, regular train services on the Gyeongbu Line, which connects the southeastern city of Daegu to the southern port city of Busan, and the Gyeongjeon Line, which links Daegu to the southeastern city of Jinju, were also suspended. Earlier in the day, a section of the Gyeongbu Line in the direction of Daegu, connecting Cheongdo in North Gyeongsang Province and Miryang in South Gyeongsang Province, was partially blocked as mud and sand collapsed onto the tracks, disrupting train operations. In response, the state-run Korea Railroad Corp. (Korail) temporarily operated trains in both directions using a single track toward Miryang to maintain limited service. However, multiple trains experienced delays due to the single-track operations. Meanwhile, high-speed rail services on the Gyeongbu Line running between the southern cities of Gyeongsan, Gyeongju and Ulsan continue to operate normally, Korail added. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Take a train to Busan for retreat in comfort, luxury
Latest high-speed train service takes you from Seoul to Busan in two hours and 20 minutes BUSAN -- From a serene walk through a bamboo forest to a scenic ride along the coast on an aerial rail, Busan offers a luxurious escape for summer travelers. Known for stunning beaches like Haeundae and its busy port, Busan is easily accessible from Seoul in just two hours and 20 minutes via Korail's latest express train, the KTX-Cheongryong. Into the heart of nature On hot summer days, Ahopsan Forest in Gijang-gun, northern Busan, offers a cool, shaded retreat. The forest features rare turtle bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocycla), pine trees and hinoki cypress. Owned by the Moon family of Nampyeong, South Jeolla Province, for over 400 years, the forest has been carefully preserved as an ecological space to be passed down through generations. 'It is a forest that has been carefully cultivated by one family over many years, with the purpose of preserving it as an exemplary ecological space to be passed down to future generations. This place has also served as a filming location for well-known productions such as 'The King' and 'Kundo: Age of the Rampant,'' said Choi Young-sun, on-site manager of Ahopsan Forest. 'We're here in Korea for a month and really wanted to visit Busan, especially this forest, because I'm a big fan of Lee Min-ho and the series he starred in, 'The King.' I'm in love with this beautiful place. K-pop and K-dramas lured us all the way from Mexico,' said Floricel, a 25-year-old Mexican visiting Korea with four family members. Sunset on the sea After a breezy stroll through the aromatic forest, visitors can indulge in a luxury yacht tour departing from The Bay 101, a marina near Haeundae known for its dazzling nightscape. The private yacht, accommodating up to 30 guests, sets sail at sunset and cruises toward Gwangalli, where passengers can view Korea's first permanent synchronized drone show. Featuring 1,500 drones lighting up the sky in two 10-minute weekend performances, the show is followed by a stop near Gwangandaegyo Bridge for a fireworks display arranged by the crew. Complimentary beer, soft drinks and snacks are served on board. Relax at the spa To unwind after a packed itinerary, guests can enjoy a rejuvenating spa treatment at Sundari Retreat Spa, the only spa in Busan capable of accommodating groups of up to eight people. Its 60-minute premium Sundari Signature treatment, priced at 204,000 won ($150), begins with a warm cup of Rooibos tea, followed by a massage using hot stones and organic oils, all in a private room with panoramic ocean views. 'We've tailored our services to suit Korean preferences, especially the firm-pressure massage style that many clients here prefer. All of our therapists receive specialized training, and over 90 percent are full-time staff with relevant certifications. Our treatments are primarily based on traditional Indian massage techniques,' said Yeom Jung-sook, general manager of Sundari Retreat Spa. Sipping tradition Another notable destination is Brewery Gidarim, a makgeolli brewery committed to crafting traditional Korean liquors with a healthy twist. 'We started this business 10 years ago, when Korea's drinking culture was centered on heavy, unhealthy consumption. Instead of changing the culture, we decided to make the drinks healthier,' said Cho Tae-young, CEO of Brewery Gidarim. Their makgeolli is brewed exclusively with Korean rice, with no aspartame or artificial additives. It undergoes 240 hours of fermentation and low-temperature aging. Visitors can sample four different brews, make a makgeolli cocktail and even seal their own creation in a can to take home. The brewery, also Korea's first open-view makgeolli facility, currently exports to Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Coastal ride above the sea No visit to Busan would be complete without a ride on the Haeundae Sky Capsule, an aerial rail running along a 2-kilometer stretch from Haeundae Mipo to Cheongsapo. Offering romantic coastal views, the capsule moves automatically at an average speed of 4 kilometers per hour. Each carriage fits up to four people, with one-way fares starting at 40,000 won for two passengers, 45,000 won for three and 50,000 won for four. Departing from Cheongsapo Station, visitors can snap photos of a striking scene: a train crossing a pedestrian track against a backdrop of the glittering ocean. On the way to Mipo Station, the capsule passes Cheongsapo Pebble Beach and the Cheongsapo Sky Walk. For travelers seeking a seamless luxury experience, Korail is launching a new premium travel package on July 11. This two-to-three-night, all-inclusive itinerary includes private transportation in a Benz Sprinter, premier accommodations at Signiel Hotel, and door-to-door luggage service. The package offers exclusive programs such as a private art gallery tour, Oriental spa treatments, a night yacht tour and a traditional liquor-tasting session. The package, priced at 2.5 million won per person, departs every Friday in small groups of four to eight, and reservations can be made at
Korea Herald
03-05-2025
- Korea Herald
Take Retro Romantic Train for nostalgic journey to heartland
Tour explores quiet beauty of Korea's countryside, blending history with healing Somewhere between the soft strum of a guitar and the scent of old-fashioned snacks drifting down the aisle, the Retro Romantic Train Tour to the south-central region of the country pulls its passengers gently out of the present and back into Korea's past. This vintage-themed rail journey, co-organized by the Korea Tourism Organization, Korail and seven cities and counties in South Chungcheong Province, offers more than transportation — it promises a rediscovery of regional charm through the lens of nostalgia. Departing from Seoul Station, the train travels through key stops including Yeongdeungpo, Suwon and Cheonan before reaching its destination in the countryside. On board, passengers are treated to live acoustic music, accordion performances and classic games. Dressed in black-and-white school uniforms, some travelers pose for retro-style photo shoots while others join impromptu sing-alongs, creating the kind of communal atmosphere that's become rare in modern travel. The Retro Romantic Train Tour to Chungnam runs eight times between April and November, with tickets priced at 85,000 won ($59.63), including two meals and local city tours. With stops in Yesan, Seosan and other cultural hubs, the tour offers a chance to rediscover the countryside. Upon arrival in Yesan, the journey takes a scenic turn. The town is home to Yedangho, Korea's largest reservoir, where the country's longest suspension bridge stretches 402 meters. Nearby, the Yedangho monorail, a mountaintop railcar that loops around the lake, offers a 22-minute ride that reveals changing scenery by day and dazzling themed lights by night. A short drive from the reservoir leads to Sudeoksa Temple, nestled on the slopes of Deoksungsan . Visitors find a quiet beauty as monks sweep the temple grounds in the early morning light and new spring leaves flutter overhead. Sudeoksa's main hall, Daeungjeon, dates back to 1308 and stands as one of Korea's best-preserved wooden structures from the Goryeo Kingdom. With forest trails extending beyond the temple grounds, this historic site offers not only spiritual insight but also a deeply calming natural retreat. Later in the day, the tour continues to Eunsung Apple Winery, an orchard estate with 6,000 trees. Founded by a Korean entrepreneur who was inspired by agritourism in Canada, the winery specializes in apple-based wines made exclusively from local apples. Visitors are invited to sample sparkling apple wines, including a rose made from red-fleshed Redlove apples, and even try their hand at baking apple pies in the on-site workshop. As apple blossoms blanket the surrounding fields in white, the experience feels equal parts tasting session and spring celebration. Before leaving Yesan, travelers make a final stop at the town's traditional market, where modern trends meet old-world charm. Recently renovated, the market now hosts nearly 100 vendors, with many young entrepreneurs joining longtime shopkeepers to offer regional dishes like handmade noodles and spicy beef soup. Strings of drying noodles sway in the wind -- a subtle but enduring symbol of local life. The tour to Seosan, another beautiful city in South Chungcheong Province, includes a stop at the House of Yu Gibang, a well-preserved hanok estate surrounded by pine trees and daffodil fields. The location has served as a filming site for popular dramas such as tvN's 'Mr. Sunshine,' and provides a peaceful, cinematic ambiance that invites slow walking and quiet reflection. Further along the coast is the Ganworam Hermitage. Built by a Buddhist monk who was an advisor to King Taejo (1335-1408), founder of the Joseon Kingdom, this small temple becomes an island at high tide and reconnects to the mainland only when the sea recedes. Another stop is the Haemieupseong Fortress, a stone-walled town dating back to 1491. Once a site where Catholics were persecuted during the Joseon era, it remains a solemn memorial and historical park. Within the fortress walls, visitors can explore old prison cells, towering gates and the massive tree once used to bind and punish those accused of religious crimes. The location gained global attention when the late Pope Francis visited in 2014, further cementing its place in Korea's spiritual and political history.
Korea Herald
01-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seoul's monthly transit pass to cover more of Seongnam
Seoul's all-inclusive monthly transit pass, dubbed the 'Climate Card,' will be available for use at subway stations on the Suin-Bundang Line and the Gyeonggang Line in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, starting Saturday, according to the municipal government on Thursday. The Climate Card is a rechargeable monthly transit pass that gives commuters access to public transport systems within the administrative boundaries of Seoul as well as select neighboring cities on the city's outskirts. From Saturday, the Climate Card can be used at 10 subway stations on the Suin-Bundang Line -- including Gachon University Station, Taepyeong Station, Moran Station, Yatap Station, Imae Station, Seohyeon Station, Sunae Station, Jeongja Station, Migeum Station and Ori Station. It will also be available for use at three stations on the Gyeonggang Line, including Pangyo Station, Seongnam Station and Imae Station. This expands the range of Seoul's Climate Card from seven subway stations in Seongnam between Moran Station and Namwirye Station on Seoul Metro's Line No. 8 to a total of 20 stations across Seongnam. The monthly transit pass can also be used on 11 Seoul city bus routes that pass through Seongnam, said the city government. However, for subway stations in Seongnam on the Shinbundang Line, the Climate Card will not be available for use as the line is operated by a private company, unlike other lines run by public enterprises such as Korail and Seoul Metro. The expansion of the Climate Card in Seongnam comes as part of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's efforts to make its transit pass accessible for commuters traveling between Seoul and its neighboring cities for work and school. Since expanding to Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, in March 2024, the transit pass has been available for use in eight other cities including Incheon, Gunpo, Gwacheon, Goyang, Namyangju, Guri and Uijeongbu. On Feb. 8, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon added that the city plans to expand the Climate Card to three other neighboring cities: Gwangmyeong, Anyang and Yangju. Oh added that the city is also looking into integrating the Climate Card with K-pass, a public transportation fare refund service run by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Korea Herald
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Hyundai Motor, Korail partner to develop mobility-centered smart city infrastructure
Hyundai Motor Group said Tuesday it has partnered with the state-run Korea Railroad Corp. to jointly develop mobility-themed smart city infrastructure around train stations across South Korea. Under a memorandum of understanding signed Monday, the two sides will collaborate on new smart city infrastructure projects in areas around train stations and other Korail-owned sites across the country. The MOU signing ceremony was held at a Korail office in Seoul, attended by Hyundai Motor Vice President Kim Heung-soo and Korail Vice President Jung Jeong-rae. The group said the partnership reflects its commitment to utilizing its technological capabilities to create smart city technologies, while Korail aims to transform itself into a comprehensive mobility service provider. Korail plans to apply Hyundai's mobility solutions to its train station development zones, creating smart city infrastructure with the concept of mobility at their core. "This partnership is a meaningful opportunity to work with Korail in introducing mobility solutions and integrated services into transport-centered smart cities," Kim said. (Yonhap)
