'KTX Derailment Accident' Complete Suspension of Same Train Operation... All Wheels Replaced

Out-of-Service Vehicles Account for 12% of All High-Speed Trains
Proactive Measures Taken Amid Unclear Accident Causes
Minister Noh Hyung-wook: "We Will Minimize Passenger Inconvenience"

On the afternoon of the 5th, the KTX-Sancheon train traveling from Seoul to Dongdaegu derailed near the Yeongdong Tunnel in Chungbuk. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 13th that it has decided to suspend the operation of all trains of the same model until all the wheels are replaced, following the derailment accident of the KTX-Sancheon train near Yeongdong Tunnel in Yeongdong-gun, Chungbuk, which occurred on the 5th.

Since the affected trains account for 12% of all high-speed trains, a reduction in train formations due to the suspension is inevitable.

On the same day, the Ministry stated, "To ensure absolute safety, from the 14th, trains of the same model as the accident vehicle will be suspended from operation until all wheels are replaced, and this measure has been instructed to Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail)."

Earlier, at around 11:53 a.m. on the 5th, a KTX-Sancheon train stopped and derailed near Yeongdong Tunnel between Daejeon and Gimcheon-Gumi stations on the Gyeongbu High-Speed Line after its wheels were damaged.

The Ministry judged that operating trains using the same wheels without clarifying the exact cause of the accident could not guarantee passenger safety, and thus decided to take the urgent measure of suspending train operations.

Up to 12% of all high-speed trains may be affected by this suspension.

Currently, the Ministry is conducting a joint inspection of high-speed train safety management with the Korea Transportation Safety Authority. This inspection focuses on the appropriateness of Korail's high-speed train maintenance planning and implementation, as well as compliance with railway safety management systems.

Additionally, the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board is investigating the exact cause of the accident, including the wheel damage.

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Noh Hyung-wook, stated, "It is necessary to proactively control potential risk factors to alleviate the public's anxiety about using high-speed trains," and added, "We will form a dedicated task force composed of experts to thoroughly review and establish safety management measures for high-speed rail."

Minister Noh also explained, "Although the number of operable train formations may decrease due to this measure, Korail will take steps to minimize inconvenience to passengers by considering passenger demand, seat reservations, and COVID-19 quarantine management before the Lunar New Year mass transportation period."

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