Asia-Pacific

S. Korea's KTX bullet train faces recall

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-12 09:10

SEOUL - South Korea's state-run railway operator on Wednesday demanded a recall of a KTX-Sancheon train for the first time, after a string of incidents involving train malfunctions.  

The Korea Railroad Corp (Korail) asked high-speed train manufacturer Hyundai Rotem for the de-facto recall of the KTX- Sancheon train, urging the company to carry out a close inspection of the whole train.  

The request comes after a malfunction in the motor reducer of the KTX-Sancheon train detected on May 7, according to the Korail, Yonhap News Agency reported.  

The KTX-Sancheon is South Korea's first locally developed high- speed train, which can travel up to 300 kilometers per hour. However, it has suffered 41 big and small problems since its introduction in March last year, according to the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs.  

Local media said that the recall request may hinder South Korea 's efforts to export the KTX-Sancheon train to other countries, including Brazil and the United States.