China Eastern resumes direct Shanghai–Cheongju route

China Eastern Airlines officially restarted its direct flight service between Shanghai and Cheongju, South Korea, on Thursday, reconnecting China's Yangtze River Delta region with central South Korea.

The Shanghai-Cheongju route — operating every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday — is scheduled to depart from the Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 7:50 am and return to Shanghai at 1:10 pm.

As the capital of North Chungcheong, Cheongju is an important center of technology and the economy in the country's central region, housing global companies, including SK Hynix and LG Chem. The city also features popular cultural landmarks, including Sangdang Sanseong Fortress, the Cheongju Early Printing Museum, and Cheongnamdae, a former presidential retreat and villa.

The resumed service targets the growing demand for business, high-tech, and leisure travel between the two regions, and is expected to expand China Eastern's aviation network in Northeast Asia.

Ma Tan in Shanghai contributed to this story.