Adapting to technological improvements, Train One was upgraded to KTX service in 2010. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – Unbeknownst to the general public, “Train One”, the rail transport of South Korean presidents, was first arranged in 1979. Operating in relative anonymity for 38 years, it was finally unveiled to the public on December 19 through a trip President Moon Jae-in took from Seoul to the east coast city of Gangneung – located not far from Pyeongchang, the host of the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics.
The sojourn was part of a promotional event to boost awareness of the upcoming Winter Games. Twenty individuals who were selected via an online raffle were in attendance, and lunched with the president in the passenger car reserved for meetings.
Following his meal with the 20 lucky individuals, Moon held a meet-and-greet with sports journalists in a separate passenger car, and on the return leg of the trip back to Seoul, spoke with media members from NBC.
Throughout the day, outsiders were able to get a close-up look at the interior of Train One.
The Blue House pointed out that the trip marked the first time journalists and non-credentialed individuals had boarded the president’s train.
Following his meal with the 20 lucky individuals, Moon held a meet-and-greet with sports journalists in a separate passenger car, and on the return leg of the trip back to Seoul, spoke with media members from NBC. (Image: Yonhap)
The head and tail of Train One are that of the KTX, South Korea’s fastest railroad train. In between are eight passenger cars, one of which is the aforementioned meeting carriage for the president.
Another passenger car is designated for the president’s personal use and features an office with enough space to hold meetings.
The other six passenger cars are divided into one VIP class and five standard carriages. Typically, top Blue House chiefs ride in the former and lower-ranked officials stay in the latter.
In between are eight passenger cars, one of which is the aforementioned meeting carriage for the president. (Image: Yonhap)
Adapting to technological improvements, Train One was upgraded to KTX service in 2010. The Blue House also has the services of one saemaeul-ho class train, a slower train model than the KTX.
The Blue House stated that the current administration has so far not used the “Kyeongbuk-ho”, the name of the train. It is being kept as an alternative option to Train One, according to the presidential residence.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
