Korail

Korail, short for Korea Railroad Corporation, is the national railroad operator of South Korea. It is a government-owned corporation under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Established in 2004 through the reorganization of the Korea National Railroad, Korail was created to operate the country’s passenger and freight rail services.

It runs a broad spectrum of services, from high-speed trains to conventional services and commuter lines. Its passenger portfolio includes the KTX high-speed service, as well as ITX-Saemaul, Mugunghwa and other regional trains, along with Seoul metropolitan area commuter services. Korail also provides freight transportation and logistics services.

Its network connects major cities such as Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju and Mokpo across long-distance corridors like the Gyeongbu and Honam lines, as well as regional and commuter routes. The railway system is largely shared with private and regional operators, and the infrastructure is owned and maintained by Korea Rail Network Authority (KRNA), while Korail operates the trains.

Korail's operations reflect South Korea's emphasis on rail transport, including electrification, safety, and service quality improvements. The company continues to expand high-speed services and modernize rolling stock and stations to support growing passenger demand and freight movements.