World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
GTX-A trains will bypass Samsung Station from 2027 after safety delays
GTX-A will not pass through Samsung Station this year as planned, and trains may do so in the first half of 2027.
The delay involves the Samsung Station section of South Korea’s GTX-A rapid rail line.
The line currently runs in two separate sections, between Unjeong Jungang and Seoul Station, and between Suseo and Dongtan.
A plan to connect them by letting trains pass through Samsung Station without stopping was delayed after a construction error involving reinforcing steel in columns.
Officials are reviewing two reinforcement options and say they will choose a solution by the end of this year, weighing safety, construction and timing.
Work and test runs would still be needed before trains could pass through, and the schedule will be set after the option is chosen.
The delay has led to 75 billion won in compensation payments to the private operator, SG Rail, from November last year through September this year.
The transport ministry says it will seek to recover costs, while Seoul argues the ministry’s inspections and decisions caused further delays; full opening with trains stopping at Samsung Station was originally targeted for 2028.
GTX-A trains are now expected to pass through Samsung Station without stopping in the first half of 2027, after safety checks and reinforcement work delayed the plan.
The delay follows a construction error involving missing reinforcement steel in columns at the station.
South Korea’s transport ministry said it aims to choose a preferred remedy by the end of 2026.
The ministry has paid 75 billion won in compensation to operator SG Rail for losses from November 2025 through September 2026.
The ministry and Seoul are disputing who should bear the costs of the additional delay.
- Who
- South Korea’s transport ministry and Seoul are disputing responsibility for the delay costs; SG Rail is the private operator receiving compensation.
- What
- GTX-A trains will pass through Samsung Station without stopping later than planned. The expected date is the first half of 2027.
- When
- The ministry expects trains to pass through without stopping in the first half of 2027. It aims to select a remedy by the end of 2026.
- Where
- Samsung Station, on the GTX-A line in South Korea.
- Why
- Safety checks and reinforcement work are needed after a construction error involving missing steel reinforcement in columns.
South Korea’s transport ministry
Seoul
Responsibility for added losses
South Korea’s transport ministry
The ministry says it will seek reimbursement for existing losses and those caused by the additional delay.
Seoul
Seoul says the added delay resulted from the ministry extending inspections and delaying decisions.
Missing reinforcement in columns at Samsung Station was confirmed.
The Korea Concrete Institute began a review of reinforcement options.
Samsung Station was initially due to begin allowing GTX-A trains to pass through without stopping.
The period covered by the reported 75 billion won in compensation to SG Rail ended.
The transport ministry said it would select a preferred remedy by the end of the year and estimated trains could pass through without stopping in the first half of 2027.
- Expected pass-through date
- First half of 2027
- Remedy selection target
- By the end of 2026
- Compensation paid to SG Rail
- 75 billion won, from November 2025 through September 2026
- Reinforcement options reviewed
- 12, narrowed to 2
- Original pass-through target
- End of June 2026
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GTX-A노선 삼성역 구간 기둥 시공 오류와 관련해 연내 최적의 대안을 선정하겠습니다