EMU-370 high-speed train: Korea’s 370 kph rail breakthrough

The EMU-370 high-speed train is South Korea’s newly developed next-generation high-speed train designed for 370 kilometers per hour in commercial service, a level the government says would make it the world’s second-fastest by operating speed.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the milestone on Monday, according to The Korea Times.

Named EMU-370, the train has a technically designed maximum speed of 407 kph. It was developed under a national research and development program led by the Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI), with seven public and private organizations taking part, as outlined in Hyundai Rotem’s project overview. The project ran from April 2022 to December 2025.

A total of 22.5 billion won ($15.23 million) was invested, including 18 billion won from the government and 4.5 billion won from private firms.

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EMU-370 high-speed train timeline: production, tests, rollout

The government plans to begin manufacturing the first EMU-370 vehicles next year, then move to test operations in 2030, with commercialization expected after 2031. If that schedule holds, the EMU-370 would rank second globally in commercial operating speed, behind China’s CR450, which is undergoing tests at 400 kph ahead of its planned commercial launch in 2027.

For comparison, major high-speed trains in France, Germany, and Japan currently operate at around 320 kph, based on the ministry’s reference point.

How EMU-370 compares with EMU-320 (KTX-Cheongyong)?

Compared with Korea’s current fastest train, the EMU-320, known as KTX-Cheongyong, the EMU-370 is described as having a 47.4% higher motor output and 12.3% lower air resistance. Officials also cite a 33% reduction in horizontal vibration acceleration and a 2-decibel decrease in indoor noise. (For background on the EMU-320/KTX-Cheongyong rollout, see Railway Supply.)

The train is planned to seat 479 passengers and has a motor capacity of 560 kilowatts, which the government equates to the combined output of 75 midsize sedans.

Why Korea is pushing toward 370 kph and beyond?

The ministry says the EMU-370 will allow all domestic regions to be reachable within two hours, supporting regional economic balance. Officials also expect South Korea to strengthen its position in the global high-speed rail market, which is increasingly moving toward trains capable of reaching 350 kph or more.

Yoon Jin-hwan, head of the ministry’s Railway Bureau, said the government will begin developing key technologies next year for the country’s third-generation high-speed trains capable of 400 kph.

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