Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
Korail CEO resigns after KTX derailment
By Kim Hyun-bin
Oh Young-sik, CEO of Korail, resigned Tuesday taking responsibility for a recent bullet train derailment, which injured more than a dozen passengers in the country's northeast.
Oh Young-sik
By Kim Hyun-bin
“During my inaugural address in February, I emphasized that safety is the most important role and a key reason for Korail's existence, but I take full responsibility and deeply apologize for failing to keep that promise,” he said in a statement.
He urged the people to keep their trust in Korail employees.
“I hope the accident will be a good chance to fix the fundamental problems of the railroad system,” Oh said, citing excessive restructuring of the organization including a large cut in staff.
Early Saturday, a Seoul-bound KTX train was derailed in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, injuring 15 passengers.
Soon after the accident, Oh faced strong backlash as he claimed the “freezing weather” was a possible cause for the derailment during a press briefing. But the next day he changed his stance and said there was a problem with the rail switch system.
Many said this showed Oh's lack of expertise in railway operation, a point over which the three-term lawmaker has been criticized since his inauguration.
There have been 10 accidents on tracks managed by Korail in three weeks, including a KTX collision with an excavator in mid-November and the KTX derailment Saturday.
Even President Moon Jae-in denounced Korail's mismanagement on Monday, saying it was a shameful accident while the government was trying to export its transport system and bid for construction contracts.