Seoul, Dec 22 (NationPress) The South Korean government has successfully finalized the development of crucial technologies for a revolutionary high-speed train capable of reaching speeds of 370 kilometers per hour (kph). This achievement positions it as the world's second-fastest high-speed train by operational speed, according to the transport ministry's announcement on Monday.

The ambitious train, designated as the EMU-370, is technically engineered for a maximum speed of 407 kph. This project was initiated under a national research and development (R&D) initiative, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.

Plans are in place to commence the manufacturing of the initial units next year, with testing operations slated to begin in 2030 and a projected commercial rollout after 2031.

Upon its commercial launch, the EMU-370 is expected to rank second globally in terms of operating speed, following China's CR450, which is currently undergoing trials at 400 kph and aims for commercial service by 2027.

Presently, significant nations such as France, Germany, and Japan operate high-speed trains at speeds around 320 kph, according to ministry data.

This project, which commenced in April 2022 and is set to conclude in December 2025, was spearheaded by the Korea Railroad Research Institute and involved collaboration from seven public and private entities.

A total investment of 22.5 billion won (approximately US$15.23 million) was allocated, comprising 18 billion won from the government and 4.5 billion won from private investments, as stated by the ministry.

In a related note, South Korea is poised to become a strategic ally in the reconstruction efforts of war-torn Ukraine. A senior official from Ukraine emphasized Seoul's expertise in high-speed rail, smart mobility, and green energy technologies, which are vital for rejuvenating Ukraine's infrastructure.

Oleksii Kuleba, the deputy prime minister for restoration, highlighted the unprecedented scale of destruction in Ukraine since World War II, with over 300,000 buildings damaged or destroyed and recovery in the transport sector alone estimated to cost US$78 billion.

During a recent visit to Seoul, Kuleba engaged with officials from the Export-Import Bank of Korea and the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) to discuss financing plans for acquiring 20 Korean-made high-speed electric trains.