Nearly 4 Hours Delay... Chaos at Seoul Station Following Mugunghwa Train Derailment

Train from Seoul Station to Gangneung delayed nearly 4 hours at 2 PM on the 7th
Total of 335 high-speed and regular trains delayed over two days... Possible special audit of Korail

Due to the Mugunghwa train accident bound for Iksan on the 6th, the train departing from Seoul Station at 2 PM on the 7th and scheduled to arrive in Busan is delayed by nearly 4 hours. Photo by a reader

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that train operations for high-speed (KTX) and regular trains resumed from 5:30 PM on the 7th following the completion of recovery work after the derailment accident of the Mugunghwa train on the Gyeongbu Line near Yeongdeungpo Station in Seoul. During this process, severe train delays occurred. As of 2 PM that day, the train that was supposed to depart from Seoul Station and arrive in Gangneung was delayed by nearly four hours. The government plans to prepare comprehensive improvement measures.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, a total of 335 high-speed and regular trains experienced delays over two days starting from the day before the accident (the 6th). On the 6th, 72 high-speed trains were delayed between 20 and 220 minutes, and 27 regular trains were delayed between 30 and 316 minutes.

Additionally, as of 5 PM on the 7th, 191 high-speed trains were delayed between 22 and 263 minutes, and 45 regular trains were delayed between 21 and 265 minutes. The train from Seoul Station to Busan at 2:21 PM that day was delayed by more than three hours.

A train departing from Seoul Station at 2 PM on the 7th and scheduled to arrive at Busan, Pohang, Yeosu, and other locations is delayed. On this day, the train bound for Gangneung was delayed by nearly 4 hours, causing significant inconvenience to passengers. Photo by Reader Provided

The accident occurred on the 6th when the Mugunghwa train bound for Iksan, which departed from Yongsan Station, derailed six cars?including five passenger cars and one generator car?while entering Yeongdeungpo Station around 8:52 PM. Among the 275 passengers, 34 sustained minor injuries.

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, currently on a business trip to Saudi Arabia, ordered a comprehensive review and changes including existing work methods and organizational culture in response to this year’s derailment accidents and worker fatalities. He specifically stated that Korail will be held fully accountable for the consecutive accidents and that a special audit will be conducted if necessary.

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