[2025 Audit] "KTX Seoul-Busan Takes 38 Minutes Longer, Same Fare... SRT Offers 600-Won Discount"

National Assembly Land Committee Audit of Railway Public Institutions Held on the 21st

There have been criticisms that the fare system for the high-speed KTX trains operated by Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) is not reasonable. This is because the same fare is charged even when travel times differ on the same route. In contrast, SR’s Suseo High-Speed Railway (SRT) applies discounts based on the number of stops.

According to data released on October 21 by Assemblyman Kwon Youngjin of the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, the KTX fare for the Seoul-Busan route is 59,800 won regardless of the number of stops. On this route, the fastest train takes 2 hours and 18 minutes, while the slowest takes 2 hours and 56 minutes-a difference of 38 minutes. For the Yongsan-Mokpo KTX, the fastest train takes 2 hours and 23 minutes, while the slowest takes 2 hours and 50 minutes, a difference of 27 minutes. However, the fare remains the same at 52,800 won.

Assemblyman Kwon pointed out, “Many people think that the fare for slower trains would be cheaper, but in reality, there is no difference,” and added, “A fare system that does not reasonably reflect differences in travel time goes against common sense.”

A KTX train is departing from Seoul Station with passengers on board, heading to its destination. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

The SRT operates a system that applies a 0.2% discount for each stop. Over the past three years, this system has resulted in a total discount effect of 14.9 billion won. On the Gyeongbu Line SRT, the fare difference based on travel time was up to 600 won, and on the Honam Line SRT, up to 200 won. Estimates by Assemblyman Kwon’s office suggest that if the same stop-based discount system were applied to KTX, the Honam Line would see a difference of 500 won, and the fare difference by route would range from as little as 200 won to as much as 600 won. Assemblyman Kwon projected that the total discount effect over three years would reach 50.7 billion won.

He stated, “KORAIL should address fare adjustment issues and the establishment of a fair pricing system as separate matters,” and emphasized, “A reasonable fare system that reflects the value of passengers’ time and convenience must be established.”

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