South Korea implements new railway safety measures

South Korean authorities and railway operators are implementing new measures to enhance safety during railway shunting and maintenance operations. Following several fatal accidents during vehicle coupling and decoupling processes, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has announced a safety reinforcement plan.

The new measures aim to minimize worker exposure to dangerous zones by prohibiting the practice of workers riding on the exterior of railcars. To replace manual visual checks in high-risk areas, the government plans to introduce technical aids such as detachable rear-view cameras and improved local control communication systems.

In a related effort to improve operational safety, KORAIL's Gyeongbuk Headquarters held a collaborative discussion involving seven different field departments, including vehicle maintenance, driving, and facility upkeep. The forum focused on identifying hidden risks in the entire train operation process, improving inter-departmental information sharing to prevent accidents, and enhancing passenger services.