Nostalgia on the rails
In the early 1960s, few families in Korea could afford a watch, television or even a radio. My parents, like many of their generation, relied on the distant whistle of a passing train to know when to begin their day. In those years, the railway was far more than a means of transportation; it was a dependable marker of daily life and a powerful symbol of modernity in a rapidly changing society.
Yet Korea's rail story extends beyond the locomotives of older generations. Long before today's high-speed trains, trams introduced a new vision of urban mobility, bringing modern transportation directly into city streets.
On the Korean Peninsula, this innovation arrived early. Seoul's first tram line began operations in 1899 during the 1897-1910 Korean Empire, connecting Seodaemun and Cheongnyangni along an 8-kilometer route. At the turn of the 20th century, the tram became a visible symbol of modernization and international engagement. For residents and foreign visitors alike, it reflected a city embracing new technologies while opening itself to the wider world.
There is something romantic about rail travel in Korea. The rhythmic sound of wheels on rails, the changing landscapes beyond the window and the slower pace of the journey offer a welcome contrast to congested highways. Whenever I visit my hometown of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, or travel to other cities, I frequently choose the train, even when obtaining a ticket is not easy. Rail travel provides more than transportation; it provides a sense of romance, continuity, hope, reflection and connection to the places through which one passes.
Through my travels in Europe before the pandemic, I have come to appreciate the distinct qualities that trams offer compared with other forms of urban transport. Moving quietly and predictably along fixed routes, they help establish a sense of permanence within the city. The visible presence of rail infrastructure conveys reliability and stability, encouraging public trust and reinforcing the rhythms of urban life.
Among the many tram systems I have encountered, Lisbon's historic network remains one of the most compelling examples of how transportation can strengthen civic identity. More than a means of mobility, it has become an integral part of the city's cultural landscape. The E15 route to Belém connects passengers to landmarks associated with Portugal's Age of Discovery, including the Monument to the Discoveries and Jerónimos Monastery, where the explorer Vasco da Gama is laid to rest. In this way, a routine tram journey becomes an encounter with national history and collective memory.
Later this year, Seoul will open its first tram line in almost 60 years, the Wirye Line in southeastern Seoul. While it is intended to serve only the residents of one major new development project, I hope it leads to a revival of tram in the capital. If Seoul approaches tram revival as cultural infrastructure rather than merely a transportation project, routes linking cultural districts and symbolic public spaces could become moving archives of the city's history. Innovative design, public art and multilingual interpretation could transform everyday journeys into opportunities for cultural engagement and education.
A carefully planned and safely operated tram system could serve as a visible expression of these values, demonstrating how urban transport can enhance both civic life and national identity. Eco-friendly and energy-efficient, trams can operate for decades while helping to preserve a city's historical character.
Just as Lisbon demonstrates how a tram network can communicate national identity without relying on slogans, Seoul — where tradition and innovation coexist — has a unique opportunity to create its own distinctive model. A revival of tramways in Seoul should be viewed not as an exercise in nostalgia, but as a strategic investment in sustainable mobility and cultural diplomacy. It will carry the city's history and identity forward while promoting K-culture to a global audience and linking its heritage to future development.
Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is a guest columnist for The Korea Times. He is a recipient of Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star, one of the nation’s most distinguished honors.