Labor minister visits Suseo Station to inspect KTX safety after integration

Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon visited Suseo Station on Sept. 16 to inspect safety management following the integrated operation of KTX and SRT services, acting on a presidential directive issued during a State Council meeting on Sept. 1.

During a meeting with Korea Railroad Corp. executives, Kim received reports on the integrated system and discussed risk factors, focusing on safety realities for frontline workers.

Kim noted that while track inspection and maintenance plans are being implemented, more consideration is needed for shunting work, which caused a recent accident at Uiwang Station. He urged the operator to devise concrete safety measures applicable immediately until a wireless-controlled shunting system is fully introduced, acknowledging that the new technology will take considerable time to deploy.

"It feels overwhelming that the integration of high-speed railways has put an end to more than a decade of controversy over privatization," Kim said, adding he hopes the consolidation will advance the overall safety management system.

Korea Railroad Corp. President Kim Tae-seung stated the company is dedicating all capabilities to ensuring railway safety given the significant increase in passengers.

Following the talks, the minister inspected worker break rooms to check rest conditions for shift workers and visited control centers to hear explanations on management systems for safe operations. He later boarded a KTX train to observe safety procedures in real-time, emphasizing that sufficient rest for drivers and crew is vital for passenger security.