It would be possible that one could visit and see 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games by travelling only one hour in KTX from Seoul.

Once a double track railroad between Wonju and Gangneung is completed by the end of 2017, travel times from Seoul to Gangneung will reduce to less than 2 hours(about half an hour supposed to be spent travelling from Wonju to Gangneung), which means one starting from the capital region could access to the eastern coastal part of Korea within 2 hours. Compared with the case of the current rail system and express bus needing about six and half hours and two and twenty minutes respectively, travel times would be significantly reduced.

Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the railroad between Wonju and Gangneung, which is expected to support successful 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games and contribute to the development of Gangwon region, at Gangneung station on June 1.

About one thousand people including politicians and officials such as Minister of Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, President of Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games Organizing Committee and Governor of Gangwon Province as well as local residents attended the ceremony.
 
The railroad building as a national project will cost about four trillion won. And this railroad starting from Wonju will be extended total 120.3km leading to Gangneung via Pyeongchang and constructed as a double track enabling trains to speed up at maximum 250km/h.

Originally this railroad building had been selected as one of 30 leading projects for development of super economic regions in Sept 2008. Since then, Government Bid Committee for Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games has decided to implement the project in May 2010 and after two years’ design and planning finally it starts to be built.
 
Out of total 11 construction zones, 5 relatively long zones between Pyeongchang and Daegwanryeong begins being built first, and the start-up work on rest 6 zones will be phased within Dec. 2012. The whole railroad is supposed to be completed by the end of 2017.

The high speed railroad connecting capital region to Gangwon area would improve accessibility to Gangwon province significantly. In addition this would make substantial contributions to the   development of this relatively underdeveloped province by sharing the function of capital region and inducing growth of tourism and leisure industry.

Especially KTX will be able to run from Incheon Airport to Pyeongchang and Gangneung directly without transfer due to this new railroad, therefore participants in Pyeongchang Olympic Games as well as spectators conveniently could access stadiums.

Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs is planning to continue the construction of square-type national railroad network among capital region, Gangwon area, Dongnam area and Honam area, aiming at bolstering national competitiveness and development of super economic regions.

2012.05.31
Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs