From "Seoul to Busan in 20 Minutes": Hyper Tube and Hydrogen Trains Showcase the Future of Railways

The Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI) will unveil future railway technologies to the public, including the "Hyper Tube," which can travel from Seoul to Busan in about 20 minutes, and hydrogen trains capable of running over 600 kilometers on a single charge. The institute has designed hands-on programs so visitors can directly understand the principles behind these technologies.

KRRI announced that it will participate in the "2026 Korea Science Festival," held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province from April 24 to April 26, where it will host exhibitions and interactive experiences showcasing its research achievements. This event is organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT and jointly hosted by the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity, the National Research Foundation of Korea, and the Private Council for Science Culture.

'2026 Korea Science Festival in Gyeonggi' Korea Railroad Research Institute Exhibition Booth. Provided by Korea Railroad Research Institute

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The highlight of this festival is the next-generation ultra-high-speed transportation system, the Hyper Tube. By combining magnetic levitation and low-pressure tubes, this concept achieves aircraft-level speeds, potentially reducing travel time between Seoul and Busan to about 20 minutes. Visitors can experience the principles firsthand through a "Build Your Own Maglev Train" activity and by viewing train models on display.

KRRI is currently developing superconducting propulsion and magnetic levitation technologies through a national research and development project led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. By 2027, the institute plans to construct a test track at its Osong branch in North Chungcheong Province to verify performance using scaled-down vehicles.

Current technologies will also be showcased. On display will be a model of a hydrogen train capable of running over 600 kilometers on a single charge, as well as a model of the HEMU-430X, a distributed-power high-speed train. The HEMU-430X is based on technology that has been further developed in the KTX-Eum and KTX-Cheongryong trains.

Additionally, at the joint booth for national research institutes, KRRI will introduce the development history of Korean high-speed rail with a model of the HSR-350x, which served as the foundation for the KTX-Sancheon.

Sagong Myung, President of KRRI, stated, "We have prepared this so that the public can easily experience railway science and technology," adding, "We hope this will be an opportunity for people to directly feel how future railway technology can transform everyday life."

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