South Korea: At the end of 2025, the country announced the completion of development of a new high-speed rolling stock model. An order for two prototypes is planned for the first half of 2026. The train, with the provisional name EMU-370, will be tested at speeds up to 407 km/h, which is 10% higher than planned for operation.
The project forms part of a national programme involving South Korea’s leading state and private R&D organisations. Developers expect the trains to cut journey times between major cities by 20–22% and offer strong export potential.
The EMU-370 programme ran from April 2022 to December 2025, commissioned by South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI) led the effort, partnering with seven state and commercial companies, including leading rolling stock builder Hyundai Rotem, train control and components specialist InterCon Systems, and national operator Korail. Participants invested KRW 22.5 bln ($15.8 mln) in R&D, with KRW 18 bln ($12.6 mln) from the state budget and KRW 4.5 bln ($3.2 mln) from private investors.
The project focused on tackling technical challenges at speeds above 350 km/h, such as sharply rising aerodynamic drag, vibration and noise. R&D delivered six key innovations across traction, aerodynamics, bodyshell design, bogies and other systems.
Key EMU-370 project technologies (enlarge). Source: Hyundai Rotem
The programme also developed technical standards for rolling stock at up to 400 km/h operating speeds. These cover bodyshell strength, crash systems, fire and electrical safety, plus standards for electrical equipment, propulsion, braking and onboard signalling. Test protocols were set for parts, components, and full trains. At KRRI’s project presentation, developers stated South Korea has overtaken Europe, where current TSI and EN standards for rolling stock and infrastructure are limited to 350 km/h.
Key technical specifications of EMU-370
The new electric train is designed based on the production platform KTX-Cheongryong (EMU-320) with a design speed of 320 km/h, currently limited to 305 km/h in operation. Like its predecessor, the EMU-370 will consist of eight cars: two non-powered end cars and six powered intermediate cars. At 200 m long, the new train will accommodate 479 first- and second-class seats. Axle load is stated at 16 tf, which is one tonne higher than previous-generation trains. Developers explain this by stricter bodyshell strength requirements needed for speeds above 350 km/h.
EMU-370 front end visualisation. Source: Hyundai Rotem
EMU-370 features a newly developed 560 kW asynchronous traction motor. It is nearly 1.5 times more powerful than those used on KTX-Cheongryong (380 kW) with only an 18% weight increase (from 670 kg to 790 kg). High specific power of 0.71 kW/kg was achieved through cooling system optimisation and 12.5% reduction in heat losses. The train has 24 electric motors total (4 per powered car), with combined rated power of 13,440 kW. Energy consumption is claimed 7% lower than the predecessor. Details of converter design and other traction drive components are not disclosed.
EMU-370 traction motor prototype. Source: Hyundai Rotem
It’s worth noting that compared to other high-speed trains designed for speeds above 350 km/h—China’s CR450, Russia’s EVS360, and Germany’s Velaro Novo—EMU-370 should have substantially higher power (others range 8–11 MW for the same 200 m length) and significantly higher proportion of powered axles (75% vs 43–50% for others). Developers haven’t stated reasons for this approach, but when creating previous-generation trains (KTX-Ieum and KTX-Cheongryong) it was noted that South Korea’s HSR conditions with many curves and short station spacing require high acceleration.
EMU-370 nose length increases from 6.5 m to 10.2 m compared to KTX-Cheongryong, with a smoother shape. Bogies will be partially covered with fairings, air conditioner units recessed into the bodyshell. Developer Hyundai Rotem emphasises that servicing ease is maintained. Modelling data shows EMU-370 aerodynamic drag 12.3% lower than EMU-320, while wind tunnel tests on the train model confirmed 10.3% reduction.
Train mock-up for wind tunnel testing. Source: Hyundai Rotem
EMU-370 bogies feature conventional design with two suspension stages and outside frame. Optimised suspension design with precise pneumatic spring and damper balancing limits lateral vibration acceleration to 6 m/s², which is 1.5 times lower than KTX-Cheongryong. Ride comfort index is stated at 1.87 Hmv per European standard EN 12299. The bogie prototype passed rig tests confirming dynamic stability at speeds up to 400 km/h.
EMU-370 powered bogie prototype. Source: Hyundai Rotem
Passenger compartment noise level is specified at 68-73 dB, about 2 dB below KTX-Cheongryong and matching modern high-speed trains from other manufacturers. These figures were achieved through optimised geometry of extruded bodyshell panels and use of composite soundproofing materials in interior lining.
Bodyshell panel cross-section with sound-absorbing elements. Source: Hyundai Rotem
InterCon Systems has developed airtight entrance doors specifically for the EMU-370. It’s emphasised that these are the first high-speed train doors to be manufactured domestically.
Procurement and operations plans
South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport intends to order the first two prototypes from Hyundai Rotem in the first half of 2026. Testing is planned from early 2030 on the Pyeongtaek–Osong section of the national HSR network. Entry into service is targeted for 2031, with national operator Korail running EMU-370.
The new trains are expected to significantly cut journey times between major cities. Seoul–Busan travel time for EMU-370 is calculated at 1 hour 53 minutes at an average speed of 221 km/h. This is 25 minutes faster than the current fastest train (2 hours 17 minutes). On the Suseo (Seoul)–Songjeong (Gwangju) route, the new train will cover the distance in about 75 minutes at an average speed of 234 km/h, which is 21-47 minutes faster than at present.
EMU-370 front end visualisation. Source: Hyundai Rotem
South Korea expects EMU-370 to strengthen its position on the international market. Hyundai Rotem is currently delivering EMU-260 trains to Uzbekistan. Last year the manufacturer signed a preliminary agreement for high-speed rolling stock production in Vietnam for the country’s first North-South HSR.
Meanwhile KRRI has already begun preliminary work on the next generation of high-speed trains targeting 400 km/h and above. In 2025 the institute presented a bogie concept with inside frame and permanent magnet synchronous traction motors.
