Why France’s TGV Was Chosen for Korea’s High-Speed Rail: The Untold Story Behind the KTX

Korea’s high-speed train, the KTX

The selection of France’s TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) as the model for Korea’s KTX (Korea Train Express) was not a simple engineering decision. It was the result of a complex process that balanced technology transfer, cost competitiveness, compatibility with existing rail lines, and even political diplomacy.

1. Technology Transfer and Proven Safety

During the early 1990s, France made a strong commitment to transfer its high-speed rail technology and operational know-how to Korea. The TGV system had already been commercially proven for safety and reliability through years of operation in Europe.

In contrast, Japan’s Shinkansen, while technologically advanced, was not compatible with Korea’s existing railway lines, requiring entirely new infrastructure. Germany’s ICE (InterCity Express), on the other hand, was eliminated early due to concerns about safety and past accident records.

 the Japanese bullet train, Shinkansen

2. Price Competitiveness and Line Compatibility

The French proposal offered the most cost-effective solution, both in terms of construction and operation.Another crucial factor was that the TGV could operate on both new and existing tracks, allowing smoother integration into Korea’s railway network. By comparison, the Shinkansen system could only run on dedicated new tracks, limiting its expansion potential across the Korean peninsula.

Germany’s ICE (InterCity Express)

3. Political and Diplomatic Considerations

Politics also played a quiet but meaningful role. France strengthened its diplomatic ties with Korea during this time, promising the return of the Oegyujanggak royal books (which had been looted during the 19th century). At the same time, anti-Japanese sentiment in Korea made the idea of adopting Japanese technology less appealing, despite its technical merits. Germany’s ICE, though advanced in materials and durability, was again overshadowed by TGV’s balanced mix of safety, performance, and diplomacy.

French President Jacques Chirac’s visit to Korea

4. Background: The Drive to Build a High-Speed Rail

Korea’s ambition to build a high-speed rail system stemmed from the need to reduce travel time between Seoul and Busan, stimulate regional economies, and modernize the nation’s transportation infrastructure. Rapid industrialization in the 1980s and growing traffic congestion made high-speed rail a national priority. By 1992, construction of the Gyeongbu High-Speed Railway began, marking a turning point in Korea’s transportation history.

KTX-Cheongnyong, Korea’s Next-Generation High-Speed Train

The Development of Korea’s High-Speed Train

Korea’s high-speed train project began in the 1990s with the introduction of France’s TGV technology. While the first KTX trains were imported, Korea soon launched the G7 Project to develop its own system.

After years of research, Korea succeeded in creating the KTX-Sancheon, its first domestically developed high-speed train, completed in 2008 and operated from 2010. Running up to 305 km/h, it was built with over 90% local technology, marking Korea as the fourth country in the world to develop an independent high-speed rail system.

Today, Korea continues to improve with models like the EMU-250 and EMU-320, proving its status as a global leader in high-speed rail technology.