South Korea unveils core tech for world’s second-fastest train capable of 229 mph
It features a newly developed 560-kW traction motor, a major upgrade over existing KTX models.
South Korea has finished developing core technologies for a next-generation high-speed train, according to the transport ministry on Monday.
The train in question is projected to operate at a speed of 229 mph (370 kph), becoming the second-fastest high-speed train in the world.
Named EMU-370, the train has a technical design capable of reaching a maximum speed of 253 mph (407 kph). It was developed under a national research and development (R&D) program, according to the ministry, reports Yonhap news agency.
The government plans to begin manufacturing the first vehicles next year and conduct test operations starting in 2030, with commercialization expected after 2031.
Decoding the core technologies
The project delivered six core technologies, including a high-speed traction motor and measures to reduce running resistance. The newly developed motor achieved 560 kW through an optimized, high-efficiency design.
The design incorporates miniaturization, high-density integration of key components, improved cooling, and enhanced insulation. It marked a 47.4 percent increase in output over the existing KTX-Cheongryong motor rated at 380 kW.
Engineers cut the running resistance by more than 10 percent compared with the KTX-Cheongryong through a smoother front-end design and reduced protrusion of the rooftop air-conditioning unit.
Stability and passenger comfort were also improved, with lateral vibration acceleration reduced by over 30 percent through optimized suspension design using air springs and dampers on the powered bogie.
Interior noise was lowered by 2 dB by refining the extruded car-body structures for floors and side walls, while airtight and sound-insulating technologies enabled the localization of airtight gangway production.
In parallel, performance evaluation and safety verification standards were established for car-body equipment, running, braking, propulsion, and signaling systems.
Comparison with the best
Post commercialization, the EMU-370 will rank as the second-fastest high-speed train in the world in terms of operating speed. It will follow China’s CR450, which is currently undergoing test operations at 249 mph (400 kph) ahead of planned commercial service in 2027.
Major countries such as France, Germany, and Japan currently operate high-speed rail services at speeds of around 199 mph (320 kph), the ministry said.
The project, led by the Korea Railroad Research Institute, ran from April 2022 to December 2025 and involved seven public and private organizations. Total investment reached to about $15.23 million, according to the ministry.
Plans to help Ukraine
South Korea could emerge as a “strategic partner” in rebuilding war-torn Ukraine, a senior Ukrainian official said, pointing to Seoul’s expertise in high-speed rail, smart mobility, and green energy technologies as critical to Ukraine’s future infrastructure transformation.
Oleksii Kuleba, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister for restoration and minister of communities and territories development, said the country faces devastation on a scale not seen in Europe since World War II, with more than 300,000 buildings damaged or destroyed and transport-sector recovery costs alone estimated at US$78 billion.
During a recent working visit to Seoul, Kuleba met with officials from the Export-Import Bank of Korea and the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) to discuss financing options for Ukraine’s proposed purchase of 20 Korean-made high-speed electric trains.
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