Honam Line
Encyclopedia
The Honam Line is a major railway line serving the Honam
region (North and South Jeolla Provinces) in South Korea
. The line is served by frequent passenger trains from Seoul
(via the Gyeongbu Line
) to Gwangju
and Mokpo
.
, in May 1904, Imperial Japan forced Korea to sign an agreement granting the Japanese military control over railways, including the right to seize land. Japan the seized much of the fertile Honam plain in advance of a planned Honam Line.
The construction of the line started in 1910. The first 39.9 km (24.8 mi) between Daejeon and Yeonsan
was opened in July 1911. The line was extended to Ganggyeong in November 1911, to Iri (today Iksan
) in March 1912, to Gimje
in October 1912 and to Jeongeup
in December 1912. Construction continued from the other end of the line, with the section from Mokpo to Hakgyo (today Hampyeong) opened in May 1913; and extended to Naju
in July 1913, to Songjeong-ri (today Gwangju·Songjeong) in October 1913, and finally to Jeongeup, completing the line on January 11, 1914.
(KTX) services on April 1, 2004. The present line length from Daejeon to Mokpo is 252.5 km (156.9 mi), the line distance from Seoul to Mokpo is 407.6 km (253.3 mi).
, intercity Saemaul-ho and high-speed KTX
passenger trains.
As of October 2010, minimum travel time from Yongsan Station
in Seoul to Mokpo is a minimum 4 hours 42 minutes by Saemaul and a minimum 5 hours 2 minutes by Mugungwha. On the Honam Line itself, from Seodaejeon to Mokpo, travel time is a minimum 2 hours 51 minutes by Saemaul and a minimum 3 hours 5 minutes by Mugungwha.
At the Seoul end, since the December 15, 2004, timetable change, most Honam KTX services don't terminate in Seoul Station
, the terminus of the Gyeongbu KTX services, but in nearby Yongsan Station, from where the travel distance to Mokpo Station is 404.4 km. In addition, some services are extended beyond Yongsan, passing Seoul Station and continuing for 14.9 km along the Gyeongui Line
to terminate at Haengsin Station
, next to which KTX trains have a depot.
The service uses the Gyeongbu HSR until Daejeon, and the upgraded Honam Line from there. The service calls at the following stations:
The frequency of Honam HSR services was increased in steps from the initial 34 daily runs in 2004, and changes between a minimum 38 services a day on weekdays and a maximum 40 on weekends from the November 1, 2010 timetable.
The predicted first-year average daily ridership of the Honam KTX Line was raised from 22,818 in a November 1999 estimate to 36,085 in the final August 2003 forecast. Actual first-year numbers were about a half of the original estimate, but rose significantly in the second and third year.
In its first year of operation, the Honam KTX service also underperformed in seat occupation relative to the Gyeongbu KTX service. By 2005, KTX fares were selectively reduced for relations under-performing most, especially on the Honam Line:
Following general ticket price increases and the separation of weekday and weekend fares, as of November 2010, the standard one-way Seoul to Mokpo ticket price stands at 40,500 won on weekdays and 43,300 won on weekends, but with significant reductions on newly introduced non-reserved seats. Another problem passenger surveys in the first months found was station access and the limited capacity of bus connections, leading to the frequent use of taxis.
. Korail also plans to run some through KTX services to Incheon International Airport
on the AREX
line from 2012. The planned travel time between Incheon International Airport and Gwangju is 3 hours.
From 2014, the Honam KTX Line is to transfer to the future Honam High Speed Railway
between Osong on the Gyeongbu HSR and Gwangju·Songjeong. By 2017, the service will transfer to the new line on the remaining section to Mokpo, too.
Honam
Honam is a region coinciding with the former Jeolla Province in what is now South Korea. Today, the term refers to North and South Jeolla Provinces....
region (North and South Jeolla Provinces) in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. The line is served by frequent passenger trains from Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
(via the Gyeongbu Line
Gyeongbu Line
The Gyeongbu Line is the most important railway line in South Korea and one of the oldest. It was constructed by Japan in 1905, connecting Seoul to Suwon, Daejeon, Daegu, and Busan. The Gyeongbu Line is by far the most heavily travelled rail line in South Korea...
) to Gwangju
Gwangju
Gwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister...
and Mokpo
Mokpo
Mokpo is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, on the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula. Mokpo has frequent train service to Seoul and is the terminus for a number of ferry routes serving islands in the adjacent Yellow Sea...
.
History
A Honam Railway from Seoul to Mokpo was first proposed in 1896 by a French company. After the start of the Russo-Japanese WarRusso-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese War was "the first great war of the 20th century." It grew out of rival imperial ambitions of the Russian Empire and Japanese Empire over Manchuria and Korea...
, in May 1904, Imperial Japan forced Korea to sign an agreement granting the Japanese military control over railways, including the right to seize land. Japan the seized much of the fertile Honam plain in advance of a planned Honam Line.
The construction of the line started in 1910. The first 39.9 km (24.8 mi) between Daejeon and Yeonsan
Yeonsan
Yeonsan is a part of Nonsan, South Korea. It is a small town , located on the rail line between Nonsan proper and Daejeon.It holds an annual jujube festival.Hanmin University is located in Yeonsan.-Reference:...
was opened in July 1911. The line was extended to Ganggyeong in November 1911, to Iri (today Iksan
Iksan Station
Iksan Station is on South Korea's high-speed KTX railway network, 243 km south of Yongsan Station.-History:The station opened on January 1, 1915 and KTX trains on the Honam Line began services on April 1, 2004. The most notable incident to occur at this station, however, was an explosion...
) in March 1912, to Gimje
Gimje
Gimje is a city in North Jeolla Province, South Korea.-History:Gimje area has been cultivated since ancient times.Nations of early date ascend in year 200...
in October 1912 and to Jeongeup
Jeongeup Station
Jeongeup Station is a KTX station in the city of Jeongeup. It is on Honam KTX Line....
in December 1912. Construction continued from the other end of the line, with the section from Mokpo to Hakgyo (today Hampyeong) opened in May 1913; and extended to Naju
Naju
Naju is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea.The capital of South Jeolla was located at Naju until it was moved to Gwangju in 1895. The name Jeolla actually originates from the first character of Jeonju and the first character of Naju . Dongshin University is situated in Naju...
in July 1913, to Songjeong-ri (today Gwangju·Songjeong) in October 1913, and finally to Jeongeup, completing the line on January 11, 1914.
Upgrade
The Honam Line was upgraded to an electrified and double-tracked line for higher speeds in stages. Double-tracking construction work started in 1968. Double-tracking of the last remaining single-track section, Songjeong–Mokpo, and the electrification of the whole line, including the Gwangju spur, was finished for the start of Korea Train ExpressKorea Train Express
Korea Train eXpress is South Korea's high-speed rail system, operated by Korail. Construction began on the first section of the high-speed line from Seoul to Busan in 1992. The project was later split into two phases and combined with conventional line upgrades, adding a second route from Seoul to...
(KTX) services on April 1, 2004. The present line length from Daejeon to Mokpo is 252.5 km (156.9 mi), the line distance from Seoul to Mokpo is 407.6 km (253.3 mi).
Major Stations
Major stations and junctions along the line include:- DaejeonDaejeon StationDaejeon Station is on South Korea's high-speed KTX railway network, 166.6 km south of Seoul Station.-History:The station opened on January 1, 1905 and KTX trains on the Gyeongbu Line began services on April 1, 2004. The station inspired a romanic blues ballad entitled "Daejeon Blues" that has...
, junction with the Gyeongbu LineGyeongbu LineThe Gyeongbu Line is the most important railway line in South Korea and one of the oldest. It was constructed by Japan in 1905, connecting Seoul to Suwon, Daejeon, Daegu, and Busan. The Gyeongbu Line is by far the most heavily travelled rail line in South Korea...
to SeoulSeoul StationSeoul Station is a major railway station in Seoul, South Korea. The station is served by the Gyeongbu Line, its high-speed counterpart and the Gyeongui Line, with frequent high-speed, express, and local services to various points in South Korea.-Services:...
and BusanBusan Station- External links :* * *...
; - SeodaejeonSeodaejeon StationSeodaejeon Station, meaning "West Daejeon Station", is on South Korea's high-speed KTX railway network, 161 km south of Yongsan Station.-History:The station opened on November 1, 1914 and KTX trains on the Honam Line began services on April 1, 2004....
, the DaejeonDaejeonDaejeon is South Korea's fifth largest metropolis and the provincial capital of Chungnam. Located in the center of the country, Daejeon had a population of over 1.5 million in 2010. It is at the crossroads of Gyeongbu railway, Honam railway, Gyeongbu Expressway, and Honam Expressway. Within the...
passenger station for Honam Line trains; - IksanIksan StationIksan Station is on South Korea's high-speed KTX railway network, 243 km south of Yongsan Station.-History:The station opened on January 1, 1915 and KTX trains on the Honam Line began services on April 1, 2004. The most notable incident to occur at this station, however, was an explosion...
(formerly named Iri), the terminus of the JeollaJeolla LineThe Jeolla Line is a railway line in North and South Jeolla Provinces in South Korea. The line is served by frequent passenger trains from Seoul to Yeosu...
and JanghangJanghang LineThe Janghang Line is a railway line serving South Chungcheong Province in South Korea. The line connects Cheonan to the railway junction city of Iksan. The Janghang Line is served by frequent Saemaul-ho and Mugunghwa passenger train services between Seoul and Iksan...
Lines; - Buksongjeong in GwangjuGwangjuGwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister...
; - Songjeong-riSongjeong-ri StationGwangju·Songjeong Station is a station in Gwangju, South Korea. It is on the national high-speed KTX railway network, 341 km south of Yongsan Station.-History:...
, the major station in GwangjuGwangjuGwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister...
for through trains to MokpoMokpo StationMokpo Station is a station in Mokpo. It is on Honam Line. and is also the westernmost railway station in South Korea.-External links:**...
, and the junction with the Gyeongjeon LineGyeongjeon LineThe Gyeongjeon Line is a railway line serving South Gyeongsang and South Jeolla Provinces in South Korea. It covers a total of 324.8 km, from Samnangjin Station in Miryang, South Gyeongsang, to Gwangju·Songjeong Station in Gwangju, South Jeolla.-History:An east-west railway along Korea's...
; - MokpoMokpo StationMokpo Station is a station in Mokpo. It is on Honam Line. and is also the westernmost railway station in South Korea.-External links:**...
, a seaport on the south coast.
Services
The Honam Line is served by freight trains, as well as cross-country Mugunghwa-hoMugunghwa-ho
The Mugunghwa-ho or Mugunghwa is a class of train operated by Korail, the national railroad of South Korea. Mugunghwa trains are the cheapest class of trains to operate cross-country. Prior to the introduction of the KTX in 2004, they were the most common passenger train along most railroad lines...
, intercity Saemaul-ho and high-speed KTX
Korea Train Express
Korea Train eXpress is South Korea's high-speed rail system, operated by Korail. Construction began on the first section of the high-speed line from Seoul to Busan in 1992. The project was later split into two phases and combined with conventional line upgrades, adding a second route from Seoul to...
passenger trains.
As of October 2010, minimum travel time from Yongsan Station
Yongsan Station
Yongsan Station is a major railway station in Seoul, South Korea. It is located in Yongsan Gu, and adjoins the Yongsan Electronics Market. The station is the terminus for high-speed and long-distance trains on a number of railway lines, including most trains on the Honam Line, its high-speed...
in Seoul to Mokpo is a minimum 4 hours 42 minutes by Saemaul and a minimum 5 hours 2 minutes by Mugungwha. On the Honam Line itself, from Seodaejeon to Mokpo, travel time is a minimum 2 hours 51 minutes by Saemaul and a minimum 3 hours 5 minutes by Mugungwha.
Honam KTX
When Honam KTX services started on April 1, 2004, the shortest rail travel time between the capital and Mokpo was reduced from 4 hours 32 minutes to 2 hours 58 minutes. between Seoul and Gwangju, the time reduced from 3 hours 53 minutes to 2 hours 38 minutes.At the Seoul end, since the December 15, 2004, timetable change, most Honam KTX services don't terminate in Seoul Station
Seoul Station
Seoul Station is a major railway station in Seoul, South Korea. The station is served by the Gyeongbu Line, its high-speed counterpart and the Gyeongui Line, with frequent high-speed, express, and local services to various points in South Korea.-Services:...
, the terminus of the Gyeongbu KTX services, but in nearby Yongsan Station, from where the travel distance to Mokpo Station is 404.4 km. In addition, some services are extended beyond Yongsan, passing Seoul Station and continuing for 14.9 km along the Gyeongui Line
Gyeongui Line
The Gyeongui Line is one of the oldest railway lines in Korea. When opened in 1906 it linked Seoul in what is now South Korea to P'yŏngyang and Sinŭiju in what is now North Korea...
to terminate at Haengsin Station
Haengsin Station
Haengsin Station is a station on the Gyeongui Line. The KTX Goyang Train Depot is located behind this station, and some KTX trains serve passengers at this station....
, next to which KTX trains have a depot.
The service uses the Gyeongbu HSR until Daejeon, and the upgraded Honam Line from there. The service calls at the following stations:
| Station | Travel distance | |
|---|---|---|
| Haengsin Station Haengsin Station Haengsin Station is a station on the Gyeongui Line. The KTX Goyang Train Depot is located behind this station, and some KTX trains serve passengers at this station.... |
0.0 km | - |
| Yongsan Station Yongsan Station Yongsan Station is a major railway station in Seoul, South Korea. It is located in Yongsan Gu, and adjoins the Yongsan Electronics Market. The station is the terminus for high-speed and long-distance trains on a number of railway lines, including most trains on the Honam Line, its high-speed... |
18.1 km | 0.0 km |
| Gwangmyeong Station Gwangmyeong Station Gwangmyeong Station is a train station in Gwangmyeong, South Korea. The station was newly built as a stop of national railway operator Korail's KTX high-speed service, south of Seoul Station.-Disambiguation:... |
36.9 km | 18.8 km |
| Cheonan Asan Station | 110.9 km | 92.8 km |
| Osong Station Osong Station Osong Station is a station on the Gyeongbu KTX Line in Cheongwon County, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea. It is located at the intersection of the Gyeongbu KTX high speed rail line and the conventional Chungbuk Line... |
139.5 km | 121.4 km |
| Seodaejeon Station Seodaejeon Station Seodaejeon Station, meaning "West Daejeon Station", is on South Korea's high-speed KTX railway network, 161 km south of Yongsan Station.-History:The station opened on November 1, 1914 and KTX trains on the Honam Line began services on April 1, 2004.... |
175.7 km | 157.6 km |
| Gyeryong Station Gyeryong Station Gyeryong Station is a KTX station under construction. It is on Honam KTX Line.... |
195.4 km | 177.3 km |
| Nonsan Station Nonsan Station Nonsan Station is a KTX station under construction. It is on Honam KTX Line.... |
220.8 km | 202.7 km |
| Iksan Station Iksan Station Iksan Station is on South Korea's high-speed KTX railway network, 243 km south of Yongsan Station.-History:The station opened on January 1, 1915 and KTX trains on the Honam Line began services on April 1, 2004. The most notable incident to occur at this station, however, was an explosion... |
257.9 km | 239.8 km |
| Gimje Station | 275.6 km | 257.5 km |
| Jeongeup Station Jeongeup Station Jeongeup Station is a KTX station in the city of Jeongeup. It is on Honam KTX Line.... |
301.4 km | 283.3 km |
| Jangseong Station | 333.8 km | 315.7 km |
| Gwangju Station Gwangju Station Gwangju Station is on South Korea's high-speed KTX railway network, 353 km south of Yongsan Station.-History:The station opened on July 1, 1922 and the station building was moved to its present location on July 25, 1969... (spur line) |
367.7 km | 349.6 km |
| Gwangju·Songjeong Station | 355.7 km | 337.6 km |
| Naju Station | 371.5 km | 353.4 km |
| Mokpo Station Mokpo Station Mokpo Station is a station in Mokpo. It is on Honam Line. and is also the westernmost railway station in South Korea.-External links:**... |
422.5 km | 404.4 km |
The frequency of Honam HSR services was increased in steps from the initial 34 daily runs in 2004, and changes between a minimum 38 services a day on weekdays and a maximum 40 on weekends from the November 1, 2010 timetable.
Ridership
| Ridership/day | |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 11,667 |
| 2005 | 15,113 |
| 2006 | 17,257 |
| 2007 | 17,270 |
| 2008 | 17,599 |
The predicted first-year average daily ridership of the Honam KTX Line was raised from 22,818 in a November 1999 estimate to 36,085 in the final August 2003 forecast. Actual first-year numbers were about a half of the original estimate, but rose significantly in the second and third year.
In its first year of operation, the Honam KTX service also underperformed in seat occupation relative to the Gyeongbu KTX service. By 2005, KTX fares were selectively reduced for relations under-performing most, especially on the Honam Line:
| Fare system | Seoul to... | Yongsan to... | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iksan | Gwangju | Mokpo | Iksan | Gwangju | Mokpo | |
| Plans in early 2004 | 28,600 | 38,200 | 42,900 | (28,300) | (37,900) | (42,600) |
| Valid from April 1, 2004 | 27,000 | 36,600 | 41,400 | 26,700 | 36,300 | 41,100 |
| Valid from April 25, 2005 | - | - | - | 25,500 | 33,300 | 38,000 |
Following general ticket price increases and the separation of weekday and weekend fares, as of November 2010, the standard one-way Seoul to Mokpo ticket price stands at 40,500 won on weekdays and 43,300 won on weekends, but with significant reductions on newly introduced non-reserved seats. Another problem passenger surveys in the first months found was station access and the limited capacity of bus connections, leading to the frequent use of taxis.
Modal share
After its first year of operation, on relations with significant distances along the conventional Honam Line, the Honam KTX service gained market share mostly at the expense of conventional trains, while the total share of rail was stagnant on some relations. By 2008, between Yongsan and the cities mid-way along the Honam Line, rail's total modal share passed 50%. Strong gains at the expense of air transport and private cars were seen between Yongsan and Honam KTX service endpoints Mokpo and Gwangju, too.Future improvements
Starting from April 2011, the new Jeolla KTX service will share tracks with the Honam KTX until Iksan, and diverge from there to reach Yeosu along the Jeolla LineJeolla Line
The Jeolla Line is a railway line in North and South Jeolla Provinces in South Korea. The line is served by frequent passenger trains from Seoul to Yeosu...
. Korail also plans to run some through KTX services to Incheon International Airport
Incheon International Airport
Incheon International Airport is the largest airport in South Korea, the primary airport serving the Seoul national capital area, and one of the largest and busiest airports in the world...
on the AREX
AREX
AREX, spelled A'REX as a brand name, is a South Korean railway line that links Seoul with Gimpo Airport and Incheon International Airport. The section between the two airports opened on March 23, 2007, the extension to Seoul Station opened December 29, 2010...
line from 2012. The planned travel time between Incheon International Airport and Gwangju is 3 hours.
From 2014, the Honam KTX Line is to transfer to the future Honam High Speed Railway
Honam Line (KTX)
The Honam High Speed Railway is an in-construction high-speed railway between Osong and Mokpo in South Korea...
between Osong on the Gyeongbu HSR and Gwangju·Songjeong. By 2017, the service will transfer to the new line on the remaining section to Mokpo, too.