All Trains Including KTX and Mugunghwa Will Sell Only 'Window' Seats Starting from the 8th

Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] From the 8th, all passenger trains including KTX and Mugunghwa will sell only window seats.

Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) announced on the 7th that it will strengthen quarantine measures on all passenger trains in response to the elevation of social distancing to level 2.5 in the metropolitan area.

From the 8th to the 28th, a period of three weeks during which the government has raised the social distancing level, tickets for passenger trains such as KTX, Saemaeul-ho, Mugunghwa-ho, and ITX-Cheongchun operating on all nationwide lines including the Gyeongbu Line and Honam Line will be sold only for window seats.

This is a measure equivalent to social distancing level 3. KORAIL proactively accepted the government's and health authorities' recommendation to limit train ticket reservations to within 50% capacity to strengthen distancing inside trains.

At social distancing level 2.5, reservations for KTX, express buses, etc. are 'recommended' to be limited to within 50%, and at level 3, reservations are limited to within 50%.

To minimize confusion for customers who have already purchased tickets, some aisle seats on trains operating before the 22nd will remain available. For trains operating from the 23rd onward, only window seats will be sold.

Even for aisle seats already reserved, passengers can request train staff to change to window seats without penalty. Refunds will also be exempt from penalties.

Additionally, the KTX companion seats where four people face each other cannot be purchased as a bundle; only one seat out of the four will be sold.

Son Byeongseok, President of Korea Railroad, said, "This is a measure prioritizing public safety over profit," and added, "We will do our best to ensure safe use of railways through thorough quarantine and strengthened distancing inside trains."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.