The Donghae Line (Korean: 동해선) is a railway line connecting Busanjin station to Samcheok station in South Korea. The literal meaning of its name, the "East Sea Line," reflects its position along the nation's East coast. It merged with the Donghae Nambu Line on December 30, 2016, and will merge with the Donghae Bukbu Line.

In 2018, the East Sea Line was partially extended to Yeongdeok Station, and on January 1, 2025, the line between Yeongdeok Station and Samcheok Station was opened.

Stations

Major stations along the line include (in order):

Services

KTX

Plans foresee direct KTX high-speed train service from Seoul to Pohang and Ulsan after the completion of the upgrades. From 2015, direct KTX trains are to reach Pohang from Seoul in 1 hour 50 minutes, cutting 33 minutes from the travel time with transfer at Gyeongju.[1] Under the government's 2010 strategic plan for 2020, the entire line may see KTX service.[2]

Busan–Ulsan commuter trains

In the Busan–Ulsan section, higher frequency commuter rail service between Bujeon and Ilgwang began on December 30, 2016. Service operates approximately every 15 minutes during the peak periods and 30 minutes during the off-peak. The line is integrated into the Busan Metro network and accepts the Hanaro Card and Digital Busan Card, as well as the T-Money card from Seoul.

Station # Station name Transferable lines Station type Doors open
K110 Bujeon Mugunghwa-ho &ITX-Saemaeul &ITX-MAUM, KTX-Eum services Aboveground Either, depending on which side the train stops
K111 Geojehaemaji Aboveground Left
K112 Geoje Line 3 Aboveground Left
K113 Busan Nat'l Univ. of Edu. Line 1 Aboveground Left
K114 Dongnae Aboveground Left
K115 Allak Aboveground Left
K116 Busanwondong Aboveground Left
K117 Jaesong Aboveground Left
K118 Centum Mugunghwa-ho &ITX-MAUM services (limited service) Aboveground Left
K119 BEXCO Line 2 Aboveground Left
K120 Sinhaeundae Mugunghwa-ho &ITX-Saemaeul &ITX-MAUM services Semi-underground Left
K121 Songjeong Aboveground Left
K122 OSIRIA Aboveground Left
K123 Gijang Mugunghwa-ho &ITX-MAUM services Aboveground Left
K124 Ilgwang Aboveground Left
K125 Jwacheon Aboveground Left
K126 Wollae Aboveground Left
K127 Seosaeng Aboveground Left
K128 Namchang Mugunghwa-ho &ITX-MAUM services (limited service) Aboveground Left
K129 Mangyang Aboveground Left
K130 Deokha Aboveground Left
K131 Gaeunpo Aboveground Left
K132 Taehwagang Mugunghwa-ho &ITX-MAUM, KTX-Eum services Aboveground Either, depending on which side the train stops
K133 Bugulsan Mugunghwa-ho &ITX-MAUM services Early 2026

Rolling stock

Upgrade

Pohang–Samcheok extension

At the time of thawing relations between South and North Korea, when the cross-border section of the Donghae Bukbu Line was reopened in 2007, the South Korean government considered the construction of a railway for freight traffic all along the east coast to the North Korean border.[3][4] As part of the corridor, a new single-track, non-electrified line for 150 km/h (93 mph) would connect Pohang and Samcheok, the end of a branch of the Yeongdong Line.[5] new line is to connect to the existing railhead at Samcheok. Work started on the Pohang-Yeongdeok section on March 20, 2008, with a foreseen budget of 2,949.5 billion won for the entire line until Samcheok.[6] As of 2009, progress reached 5.9% of a planned budget reduced to 2,831.749 billion won, and completion of the 171.3 km (106.4 mi) long project was planned for 2016.[7] Under the government's 2010 strategic plan for 2020, the Pohang–Samcheok extension is to be further upgraded for 230 km/h (140 mph).[2]

On January 1, 2025, when the Yeongdeok Station to Samcheok Station opened, 12 stations were newly established as intermediate stations, including Yeonghae, Goraebul, Hupo, Pyeonghae, Giseong, Maehwa, Uljin, Jukbyeon, Heungbu, Okwon, Imwon, and Geundeok.

See also

References

  1. ^ "KORAIL to launch Seoul-Pohang KTX". The Korea Herald. 2015-03-31.
  2. ^ a b "Bullet trains coming to a town near you by 2020". JoongAng Daily. 2010-09-02. Retrieved 2010-10-27.
  3. ^ "Trans-Korean Railway" (PDF). Korean Rail Technology (English). 9: 09–11. September 2007. Archived from the original on 2018-07-14. Retrieved 2010-11-04.
  4. ^ "South Korea's growing network". Railway Gazette International. 2008-09-08. Archived from the original on 2012-12-05. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  5. ^ "Korea's railways face a bright future". International Railway Journal. 2008-07-01. Archived from the original on 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  6. ^ 포항~삼척 166km 철도 오늘 첫 삽 (in Korean). JoongAng Ilbo. 2008-03-20.
  7. ^ 포항~삼척 철도건설. Korea Rail Network Authority. Retrieved 2010-10-24.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donghae_Line
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