Donghae Line

{{Short description|Railway line in eastern South Korea}}

{{more citations needed|date=May 2016}}

{{Expand Korean|date=September 2022|topic=transp}}

{{Infobox rail line

| box_width = 300px

| logo = x40px 40px

| name = Donghae Line

| native_name = 동해선 (東海線)

| native_name_lang = ko

| color = {{rcr|Busan Metro|Donghae}}

| image = Korail-381005-20180331-102928.jpg

| image_width = 300px

| caption = Korail Class 381000

| type = Commuter rail
Regional rail
Intercity rail

| system = Busan Metro (Bujeon–Taehwagang)

| status = Operational

| locale = Busan
Ulsan
North Gyeongsang

| start = Busanjin

| end = Samcheok

| stations = 61

| open = November 1, 1917: Chosun Light Railway Opens
July 1, 1928: Opening of the East Sea (Central) Line
April 2, 2015: Partial opening of the main line
January 26, 2018: Opening of the Pohang-Yeongdeok section
December 28, 2021: Bujeon to Ilgwang, Taehwagang to Mo-ryang section opened
January 1, 2025: Yeongdeok to Samcheok section opened

| owner = Korea Rail Network Authority

| operator = Korail

| linelength_km = 310.7

| tracks = 2 (BusanjinPohang)
1 (Pohang–Samcheok)

| gauge = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}}

| stock = Hyundai Rotem Class 381000 series

| electrification = 25 kV/60 Hz AC Overhead line

| elevation =

| maxincline =

| map = 300px

{{routemap

|inline=1

|map=

WFILL\WFILL\WFILL\WFILL\

WFILL\WFILL\ENDEa\\

WFILL\WDOCKSrf\BHFSPLa\\~~ ~~ ~~Busan

WFILL\KHSTa\vDST\\~~0.0~~Busanjin

WFILL\xABZgl\vSTR+r-!~vSTR\\~~ ~~ ~~←Uam Line

WFILL\exSTR\vSHI1l-STRl\ABZq+l\CONTfq~~ ~~ ~~Gyeongbu Line (to Daegu)→

WFILL\exSTR\HST\DST\~~2.1~~Beomil/Gaya

WFILL\exSTR\ABZgl+l\STRr\~~ ~~ ~~Gaya Line

WFILL\exSTR\KSTRe!~uKSTRa !~ ulBHF\\~~4.6~~Bujeon

WFILL\exSTRl\uemABZgr\\~~ ~~ ~~to Uam Line

WFILL\\uHST\\~~6.9~~Geojehaemaji

WFILL\\uINT\\~~7.9~~Geoje, transfer to {{nowrap|BML {{rint|busan|3}}}}

WFILL\\uBHF\\~~8.6~~BNU, transfer to {{nowrap|BML {{rint|busan|1}}}}

WFILL\WASSERq\uhKRZWae\WCONTfq\~~ ~~ ~~Oncheon stream

WFILL\\uHST\\~~9.8~~Dongnae

WFILL\\uHST\\~~10.7~~Allak

WFILL\\uBHF\\~~12.0~~Busanwondong

WFILL\\uHST\\~~13.0~~Jaesong

WFILL\\uBHF\\~~14.0~~ Centum

WFILL\\uINT\\~~15.4~~BEXCO, transfer to {{nowrap|BML {{rint|busan|2}}}}

WFILL\exKRW+l\exKRWr!~uSTR\\

WFILL\exSTR\utSTRa\\~~ ~~ ~~Jangsan Tunnel

WFILL\exSTR\utSTRe\\~~ ~~ ~~haeundae Tunnel

WFILL\exHST\uBHF\\~~19.9~~Sinhaeundae

WFILL\exSTR\utSTRa\\~~ ~~ ~~Songjeong Tunnel

WFILL\exBUE\utSTR\\~~ ~~ ~~Mipo crossing

WFILL\exBUE\utSTR\\~~ ~~ ~~Cheongsapo crossing

WFILL\exSTR\utSTRe\\

WFILL\exHST\uHST\\~~22.8~~Songjeong

WFILL\exSTR\uHST\\~~23.9~~OSIRIA

WFILL\exKRWl\exKRW+r!~uSTR\\

WFILL\\uHST\\~~29.6~~Gijang

WFILL\\uSTR\\

WFILL\\uBHF\\~~32.6~~Ilgwang

WFILL\\uSTR\\

WFILL\\uBHF\\~~37.9~~Jwacheon

WFILL\WDOCKSlg\uSTR\\

WFILL\WFILL\uBHF\\~~41.3~~Wollae

WFILL!~GRZq\WDOCKSrf!~GRZq\TUNNEL1+GRZq\GRZq\~~ ~~ ~~↑Busan/Ulsan

WFILL\\uHST\\~~44.2~~Seosaeng

WFILL\\exKRWl!~uSTR\exKRW+r\

WFILL\\uTUNNEL1\extSTRa\~~ ~~ ~~Magun Tunnel

WFILL\\uTUNNEL1\extSTRe\~~ ~~ ~~Jindong Tunnel

WFILL\\exKRW+l!~uSTR\exKRWr\

WFILL\STR+l\STR+r!~uSTR\\~~ ~~ ~~←Onsan Line

WFILL\LSTR\uBHF\\~~52.7~~Namchang

WFILL\LSTR\uKRWl\uKRW+r\

WFILL\LSTR\\exlvHST-!~uSTR\~~ ~~ ~~Oegosan

WFILL\KDSTe\\uSTR\~~ ~~ ~~Onsan

WFILL\\\uBHF\~~56.6~~Mangyang

WFILL\\\exKRWl!~uSTR\exKRW+r

WFILL\WASSERq\WASSERq\uhKRZWae\exhKRZWae~~ ~~ ~~ Hoeya stream

WFILL\KDSTaq\STRq\STRr!~uSTR!~ulDST\exSTR~~ ~~ ~~← Ulsan New Harbor Line (Ulsan Rail Yard)

WFILL\\\uBHF\exHST~~62.0~~Deokha

WFILL\\uSTR+l\exSTRq!~uSTRr\exABZgr

WFILL\\uBHF\\exSTR~~64.5~~Gaeunpo

WFILL\KDSTaq\exSTRq!~STR+r!~uSTR\exSTRq\exABZg+r~~ ~~ ~~←Ulsan Harbor Line

WFILL\\uDST\\exSTR~~68.4~~Taehwagang

WFILL\WASSERq\hKRZWae\WASSERq\exhKRZWae~~ ~~ ~~Taehwa River

\KRW+l\xKRWgr\\exHST~~ ~~ ~~Old Ulsan

\STR\exSTR\\exHST~~ ~~ ~~Byeongyeong

\STR\exHST\\exSTR~~ ~~ ~~Hyomun

\STR\exABZg+l\exSTRq\exSTRr

\BHF\exSTR\\~~78.1~~Bugulsan

\STR\exBHF\\~~ ~~ ~~Hogye

\tSTRa\exSTR\\~~ ~~ ~~

\tSTRe!~GRZq\exSTR!~GRZq\GRZq\~~ ~~ ~~Ulsan/Gyeongju

\tLSTR\exHST\\~~ ~~ ~~Mohwa

\tLSTR\exSTR\\

\STRl\xKRZu\STRq\STR+r

\\exSTR\\HST~~89.8~~Oedong Signal box

\\exHST\\STR~~ ~~ ~~Ipsil

\\exSTR\\TUNNEL1~~ ~~ ~~

\RACONTgq\exSKRZ-Au\RAq\SKRZ-Ao~~ ~~ ~~Donghae Expressway

\\exHST\\STR~~ ~~ ~~Jukdong

\\exSTR\\TUNNEL1~~ ~~ ~~

\\exSTR\\STR!~CONTl+f~~ ~~ ~~Gyeongbu HSR (to Busan)→

\\exBHF\\STR~~ ~~ ~~ Bulguksa

\\exSTR\\TUNNEL1~~ ~~ ~~

\\exSTR\\TUNNEL1~~ ~~ ~~

\\exBST\\STR~~ ~~ ~~Dongbang

\\exSTR\\TUNNEL1~~ ~~ ~~

\\exSTR\\TUNNEL1~~ ~~ ~~

\\exBHF\\STR~~ ~~ ~~Old Gyeongju (~2021)

\\exSTR\\BHF~~110.3~~Gyeongju

\\exSTR\\TUNNEL1~~ ~~ ~~

exSTR+l\exSTRq\exSTRr\STR+l\ABZgr+r~~ ~~ ~~

exSTR\LWASSER\\STR\CONTl+g~~ ~~ ~~Gyeongbu HSR (to Busan)→

exSTR\WASSER\exSTR+l\eKRZo!~lBST\exCONTfq~~114.7~~Moryang Signal box

exABZgl\exhKRZWaeq\exABZgr\ABZgl+l\CONTfq~~ ~~ ~~Jungang Line (to Yeongcheon)→

exSTR\WASSER\exBHF\BHF\~~122.9~~Seogyeongju

exSTRl\exhKRZWaeq\exABZgr+r\STR\~~ ~~ ~~(Hyeongsan River) Geumjang Triple Line

WASSER+l\WASSERr\exBHF\STR\~~ ~~ ~~Nawon

WASSER\\exSTR\STR\

WASSER\\exHST\STR\~~ ~~ ~~Cheongnyeong

WASSER\\exHST\STR\~~ ~~ ~~Sabang

WASSER\\exSTRl\exSTRq!~STR\exSTR+r

WASSER\\\BHF\exBHF~~133.7~~Angang

WASSER\exSTR+l\exSTRq\exSTRq!~STR\exSTRr

WASSER\exHST\\tSTRa\~~ ~~ ~~Yangjadong

WASSER\exSTR\\tSTRe\

WASSER\exSTRl\exSTRq\exSTR+r!~BST\~~139.5~~Bujo Signal box

WASSERl\WASSER+r\KRW+l\KRWgr\~~ ~~ ~~←goedong Line

WASSER\STR\tSTRa

\WASSER\HST\tSTR\~~ ~~ ~~Hyoja

STR+l\hKRZWaeq\xABZgr\tSTR\~~ ~~ ~~

KDSTe\WASSER\exHST\tSTRe\~~ ~~ ~~goedong/ Yanghakdong

WDOCKSlg\WASSER\exBHF\BHF\RP4!~MFADEg~~149.7~~Pohang

WFILL\WASSERr\exKHSTe\STR\RP4~~ ~~ ~~Haksan

WFILL\\\STR\RP4!~RP2t~~ ~~ ~~Heunghae Town

WFILL\KDSTaq\STRq\ABZgr\RP4~~ ~~ ~~←Yeongil Bay Harbor Line

WFILL\\KRW+l\KRWr\RP4

WFILL\WDOCKSlg\LSTR\\RP4

WFILL\WFILL\BHF\RP2q\RP4wnsRP2!~RP2t~~165.0~~Wolpo

WFILL\WFILL\LSTR\RP4K+l\RP4Kr

WFILL\WFILL\HST\LRP4\~~174.1~~Jangsa

WFILL\WFILL\LSTR\LRP4\

WFILL\WFILL\BHF\LRP4\~~181.7~~Ganggu

WFILL\WFILL\hKRZWae\RP4oW\WASSERq

WFILL\WFILL\BHF\RP4!~RP2t\~~188.3~~Yeongdeok

WFILL\RP4+l\LSTR!~LRP4q\RP4rf\

WFILL\RP4!~lHUT\BHF\\~~202.9~~Yeonghae

WFILL\LRP4\LSTR\\

WFILL\RP4!~lHUT\BHF\\~~210.2~~Goraebul

WFILL\LRP4\LSTR\\

WFILL\RP4!~lHUT\BHF\\~~219.6~~Hupo

WFILL\RP4l\LSTR!~LRP4q\RP4+r\

WFILL\\BHF\RP4!~lHUT\~~224.5~~Pyeonghae

WFILL\RP4+l\LSTR!~LRP4q\RP4rf\

WFILL\RP4\BHF\\~~231.9~~Giseong

WFILL\LRP4\LSTR\\

WFILL\RP4\BHF\\~~242.8~~Maehwa

WFILL\LRP4\LSTR\\

WFILL\RP4!~lHUT\BHF\\~~254.0~~Uljin

}}

| map_state = collapsed

| embedded = {{Infobox Korean name|child=yes

|img=

|hangul = 동해선

|hanja = 東海線

|rr = Donghaeseon

|mr = Tonghaesŏn

}}

}}

The Donghae Line ({{Korean|hangul=동해선}}) is a railway line connecting Busanjin station to Samcheok station in South Korea. The literal meaning of its name, the "East Sea Line," reflects its position along the nation's East coast. It merged with the Donghae Nambu Line on December 30, 2016, and will merge with the Donghae Bukbu Line.

In January 26, 2018, the East Sea Line was partially extended to Yeongdeok Station, and on January 1, 2025, the line between Yeongdeok Station and Samcheok Station was opened.

Stations

Major stations along the line include (in order):

Services

===KTX===

Plans foresee direct KTX high-speed train service from Seoul to Pohang and Ulsan after the completion of the upgrades. From 2015, direct KTX trains are to reach Pohang from Seoul in 1 hour 50 minutes, cutting 33 minutes from the travel time with transfer at Gyeongju.{{cite web|title=KORAIL to launch Seoul-Pohang KTX|url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/439044|publisher=The Korea Herald|date=2015-03-31}} Under the government's 2010 strategic plan for 2020, the entire line may see KTX service.{{cite web |date=2010-09-02 |title=Bullet trains coming to a town near you by 2020 |url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2925474 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824170833/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2925474 |archive-date=August 24, 2015 |access-date=2010-10-27 |publisher=JoongAng Daily}}

=Busan–Ulsan commuter trains=

In the Busan–Ulsan section, higher frequency commuter rail service between Bujeon and Ilgwang began on December 30, 2016. Service operates approximately every 15 minutes during the peak periods and 30 minutes during the off-peak. The line is integrated into the Busan Metro network and accepts the Hanaro Card and Digital Busan Card, as well as the T-Money card from Seoul.

class="wikitable"

! Station #

! Station name

! Transferable lines

! Station type

! Doors open

K110

|Bujeon

|{{nowrap|File:Korail logo.svg}} Mugunghwa-ho &ITX-Saemaeul &ITX-MAUM, KTX-Eum services

|Aboveground

|Either, depending on which side the train stops

K111

|Geojehaemaji

|

|Aboveground

|Left

K112

|Geoje

|Line 3

|Aboveground

|Left

K113

|Busan Nat'l Univ. of Edu.

|Line 1

|Aboveground

|Left

K114

|Dongnae

|

|Aboveground

|Left

K115

|Allak

|

|Aboveground

|Left

K116

|Busanwondong

|

|Aboveground

|Left

K117

|Jaesong

|

|Aboveground

|Left

K118

|Centum

|{{nowrap|File:Korail logo.svg}} Mugunghwa-ho &ITX-MAUM services (limited service)

|Aboveground

|Left

K119

|BEXCO

|Line 2

|Aboveground

|Left

K120

|Sinhaeundae

|{{nowrap|File:Korail logo.svg}} Mugunghwa-ho &ITX-Saemaeul &ITX-MAUM services

|Semi-underground

|Left

K121

|Songjeong

|

|Aboveground

|Left

K122

|OSIRIA

|

|Aboveground

|Left

K123

|Gijang

|{{nowrap|File:Korail logo.svg}} Mugunghwa-ho &ITX-MAUM services

|Aboveground

|Left

K124

|Ilgwang

|

|Aboveground

|Left

K125

|Jwacheon

|

|Aboveground

|Left

K126

|Wollae

|

|Aboveground

|Left

K127

|Seosaeng

|

|Aboveground

|Left

K128

|Namchang

|{{nowrap|File:Korail logo.svg}} Mugunghwa-ho &ITX-MAUM services (limited service)

|Aboveground

|Left

K129

|Mangyang

|

|Aboveground

|Left

K130

|Deokha

|

|Aboveground

|Left

K131

|Gaeunpo

|

|Aboveground

|Left

K132

|Taehwagang

{{nowrap|File:Korail logo.svg}} Mugunghwa-ho &ITX-MAUM, KTX-Eum services

|Aboveground

|Either, depending on which side the train stops

K133

|Bugulsan

|{{nowrap|File:Korail logo.svg}} Mugunghwa-ho &ITX-MAUM services

|

|June 2026

= Rolling stock =

Upgrade

=Pohang–Samcheok extension=

At the time of thawing relations between South and North Korea, when the cross-border section of the Donghae Bukbu Line was reopened in 2007, the South Korean government considered the construction of a railway for freight traffic all along the east coast to the North Korean border.{{cite journal |url=http://www.irail.net/webzine/krt/20071008/15356_cf_171_KRT_9.pdf |title=Trans-Korean Railway |journal=Korean Rail Technology (English) |volume=9 |pages=09–11 |date=September 2007 |access-date=2010-11-04 |archive-date=2018-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714221847/http://www.irail.net/webzine/krt/20071008/15356_cf_171_KRT_9.pdf |url-status=usurped }}{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/south-koreas-growing-network.html |title=South Korea's growing network |date=2008-09-08 |publisher=Railway Gazette International |access-date=2010-10-28 |archive-date=2012-12-05 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205072403/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/south-koreas-growing-network.html |url-status=dead }} As part of the corridor, a new single-track, non-electrified line for {{convert|150|km/h|abbr=on}} would connect Pohang and Samcheok, the end of a branch of the Yeongdong Line.{{cite web |url=http://www.railjournal.com/altfeature1.shtml |title=Korea's railways face a bright future |date=2008-07-01 |publisher=International Railway Journal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416195911/http://www.railjournal.com/altfeature1.shtml |archive-date=2009-04-16 |access-date=2010-10-28 |url-status=dead }} new line is to connect to the existing railhead at Samcheok. Work started on the Pohang-Yeongdeok section on March 20, 2008, with a foreseen budget of 2,949.5 billion won for the entire line until Samcheok.{{cite web |script-title=ko:포항~삼척 166km 철도 오늘 첫 삽 |url=https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/3080773 |language=ko |publisher=JoongAng Ilbo |date=2008-03-20}} As of 2009, progress reached 5.9% of a planned budget reduced to 2,831.749 billion won, and completion of the {{convert|171.3|km|abbr=on}} long project was planned for 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.krnetwork.or.kr/service/condition/RouteMapView.do?PA_MAP_ID=12384 |script-title=ko:포항~삼척 철도건설 |publisher=Korea Rail Network Authority |access-date=2010-10-24}} Under the government's 2010 strategic plan for 2020, the Pohang–Samcheok extension is to be further upgraded for {{convert|230|km/h|abbr=on}}.

On January 1, 2025, when the Yeongdeok Station to Samcheok Station opened, 12 stations were newly established as intermediate stations, including Yeonghae, Goraebul, Hupo, Pyeonghae, Giseong, Maehwa, Uljin, Jukbyeon, Heungbu, Okwon, Imwon, and Geundeok.

See also

References

{{Reflist}}