Incheon KTX enters final stretch as comprehensive test runs begin

The era of high-speed rail connecting Incheon directly to Busan and Mokpo has reached what is in effect its final hurdle.

The Incheon KTX project is set to begin comprehensive test runs Thursday, marking a turning point that would expand the city's rail network from a metropolitan-area hub to a nationwide one.

The city of Incheon said Wednesday it had received notice from Korea National Railway that comprehensive test operations ahead of the Incheon KTX launch would begin Thursday.

The test runs are designed to carry out a final safety check of rail facilities and systems under conditions identical to actual commercial service.

The process begins with preliminary inspections, followed by facility verification tests in October and then trial commercial operations — proceeding in stages. The checks will cover core rail systems including signaling and power, as well as passenger-facing facilities such as station buildings and platforms.

The underlying project is also nearing completion. The Incheon KTX direct-link project involves building a new 3.19-kilometer section connecting the Suin Line to the Gyeongbu high-speed line, along with expansions at three existing stations — Songdo, Choji and Eocheon.

Construction is about 86% complete. Major work on the roadbed, track and systems wrapped up through August, and Incheon city is pushing for a year-end opening.

The most significant change after the line opens will be travel times. Passengers will be able to reach Busan from Incheon in about two hours and 30 minutes, and Mokpo in about two hours and 10 minutes.

For residents of Incheon and the southwestern parts of Gyeonggi Province, the service will offer a new long-distance travel option that bypasses Seoul entirely and connects directly to major cities across the country.

Despite being a major city with a population of more than 3 million, Incheon has long been criticized for its relatively poor access to the high-speed rail network.

The opening of the Incheon KTX is expected to bring significant change to those conditions. However, the year-end target has not been set as a fixed schedule.

Korea National Railway said it will prioritize public safety and take whatever corrective measures are needed if issues arise during test operations and safety inspections.

As a result, the opening could be pushed back by one to two months depending on the results of those checks.

The actual service plan has also yet to be finalized. Korea National Railway and Korail are still reviewing track conditions and existing train schedules to determine the number of trains, frequency of service and timetables.

"The comprehensive test run is a meaningful step that signals to residents that the Incheon KTX opening is just around the corner," Incheon Mayor Park Chan-dae said. "We will do our utmost to prepare for the launch through thorough safety inspections and coordination with relevant agencies."

If the Incheon KTX enters service as planned, the city will shed its status as a place that could only access the national high-speed rail network through Seoul, and emerge instead as a major regional transport hub with direct connections to key southern cities including Busan and Mokpo.