Langbahn Team – Weltmeisterschaft

Dorasan Station

도라산
Dorasan
The entrance to Dorasan station
Korean name
Hangul
도라산역
Hanja
Revised RomanizationDorasannyeok
McCune–ReischauerTorasannyŏk
General information
LocationNosang-ri, Jangdan-myeon, Paju, Gyeonggi Province
South Korea
Coordinates37°53′55″N 126°42′36″E / 37.898715°N 126.710075°E / 37.898715; 126.710075
Operated byKorail Korail
Line(s)Gyeongui–Jungang Line, Pyongbu Line
Platforms2 (2 side platforms) (1 not in use)
Tracks2 (1 not in use)
Construction
Structure typeSurface
History
OpenedApril 11, 2002 (Southern tracks), December 11, 2007 (Northern tracks)
ElectrifiedDecember 11, 2021
Services
Preceding station Following station
Terminus
DMZ Train
West
Imjingang
towards Seoul
Preceding station Seoul Metropolitan Subway Following station
Terminus Gyeongui–Jungang Line
Imjingang– Dorasan Shuttle Service
Imjingang
Terminus
Preceding station Korean State Railway Following station
P'anmun
towards P'yŏngyang
P'yŏngbu Line
Not in regular service
Terminus

Dorasan Station (Korean도라산역) is a railway station situated on the Gyeongui–Jungang Line, which formerly connected North Korean and South Korean rail systems and has since been restored. Dorasan station is located approximately 650 meters (710 yards) from the southern boundary of the Korean Demilitarized Zone and is currently the northern terminus of Korail's Gyeongui-Jungang Line, which is served by Shuttle Service to Imjingang Station. North of here the former Gyeongui Line continues as the Korean State Railway's P'yŏngbu Line, but this connection is not in regular service. The current purpose of the station is largely symbolic of the hope for eventual Korean reunification.

History

On December 11, 2007, freight trains began traveling north past Dorasan station into North Korea, taking materials to the Kaesong Industrial Region, and returning with finished goods. It was scheduled to make one 16-kilometer (9.9 mi) trip every weekday.[1]

On December 1, 2008, however, the North Korean government closed the border crossing after accusing South Korea of a confrontational policy.[2] This coincided with the 2008 South Korean legislative election, and a change to a more conservative government. After that it was opened and closed again repeatedly, with the most recent reopening having been on 16 September 2013.[3]

On December 11, 2021, a new 3.7 km (2¼ mile) Gyeongui–Jungang Line shuttle service between Imjingang Station and Dorasan Station began operations. This service operates only once during weekends and public holidays.

Train services

The station was previously served by four daily trains from Seoul, which were mostly used by tourists. [4] However, service was halted due to a lack of demand and deteriorating inter-Korean relations. [5]

See also

References

Media related to Dorasan Station at Wikimedia Commons