South Korea shows interest in Istanbul-Ankara super high-speed train project
Türkiye's High Speed Train (YHT), operated by Turkish State Railways (TCDD). (AA Photo)
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu held talks with South Korean Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Park Sangwoo during his visit to South Korea for the Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference (GICC) 2024.
The discussions covered a range of infrastructure projects, including the Istanbul-Ankara Super High-Speed Train and maritime transport agreements.
Türkiye, South Korea to collaborate on major projects
Minister Uraloglu emphasized the ongoing cooperation between Türkiye and South Korean companies on several large-scale projects, such as the 1915 Canakkale Bridge. “We have partnered with South Korean firms for significant infrastructure initiatives like the Kinali-Tekirdag-Canakkale-Savastepe Highway Project. We are currently in talks with the Korean firm DAELIM for the Kınalı-Malkara section, and I am pleased to note that financing from Korea is progressing well,” Uraloglu stated.
Ankara-Istanbul super high-speed train on the agenda
Uraloglu also highlighted Türkiye’s focus on expanding its high-speed rail network, noting that Türkiye has been operating high-speed trains for 15 years.
“We have begun working on a super high-speed train project that will connect Ankara and Istanbul, allowing trains to travel at 350 kilometers per hour. Our South Korean counterparts have shown great interest in this project, which is very encouraging,” he said.
Türkiye currently has 2,251 kilometers (1398.7 miles) of high-speed rail lines, with plans to expand this to 5,000 kilometers in the near future.
Strengthening Türkiye-South Korea relations
Reflecting on the solidarity shown by South Korea after Türkiye’s February 2023 earthquake, Uraloglu emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration between the two countries.
He invited Minister Park to the International Road Federation’s congress, scheduled for Oct. 15-18, as part of efforts to further strengthen ties
Collaborations in Ukraine and nuclear energy
Beyond bilateral infrastructure projects, Minister Uraloglu pointed to potential collaboration in third countries, such as Ukraine, which is undergoing reconstruction efforts.
“Türkiye’s construction companies are well-known for their speed and quality worldwide, and we are already working closely with Ukraine. We believe there is potential for collaboration with South Korean firms as well,” he noted.
Uraloglu also mentioned discussions on a potential second nuclear power plant in Türkiye, expressing hope for cooperation with South Korea on this project.
Advancements in aviation and maritime cooperation
The two ministers also discussed increasing the number of flights between Türkiye and South Korea.
Uraloğlu noted that Turkish Airlines and Korean Airlines currently operate a combined 19 weekly flights, with discussions underway to add more flights, including seven additional frequencies to Busan. “Our growing trade relations with South Korea make these expansions important for both nations,” he added.
Additionally, discussions on a draft maritime transport agreement are continuing, with hopes of further progress in this area.
