Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail) and SR conducted a joint high-speed train derailment response drill early morning on the 11th at Yulhyeon Tunnel on the Suseo High-Speed Line.
The drill simulated a derailment scenario involving cross-operation of KTX and SRT trains inside Yulhyeon Tunnel between Dongtan and Suseo stations. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Korail, SR, Railroad Special Judicial Police, and Seongnam Fire Station participated in the exercise at a depth exceeding 50 meters underground. Two high-speed trains—one KTX and one SRT—were deployed.
Participants demonstrated passenger evacuation, site control, and vehicle towing procedures in sequence, reviewing rescue and recovery protocols. The drill specifically verified the effectiveness of initial response manuals in deep underground environments and confirmed passenger evacuation routes and guidance systems, including vertical escape shafts.
The exercise also replicated a recovery operation in which an SRT train (10 cars) towed a KTX train (20 cars). Since KTX trains began operating on the Suseo High-Speed Line in February, authorities conducted advance testing of emergency procedures for using SRT to tow KTX trains in case of irregularities.
"We will establish an unwavering safety system even in deep underground environments, prioritizing the lives and safety of the public," said Kim Tae-seung, CEO of Korail. "We will continue to enhance our emergency response capabilities through repeated field-centered training."
Jeong Wang-guk, CEO of SR, stated: "We will further strengthen our cooperative framework with related agencies and continue conducting field training as realistic as actual situations to enhance our response capabilities during the pilot cross-operation period and to respond swiftly to expanded cross-operations."