S. Korea willing to hand over rail technology

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia may be able to grow its own brand of high-speed rail (HSR) technology should South Korean companies be awarded the 350km KL-Singapore bullet train contract.

A South Korean official told The Star that it was willing to hand over its technology and knowledge to Malaysia, adding that it once relied on foreign tech as well.

“If Korea is chosen, the country will deliver technology transfer of both hardware and software,” said Land, Infrastructure and Transport Vice-Minister Yeo Hyungkoo in an e-mail.

He said this after attending the Malaysia-Korea Mutual Cooperation Seminar for Development of High Speed Railway here in mid-May.

Yeo said a transfer might include rail cars, infrastructure, maintenance knowledge and even programmes to help Malaysia make use of the technology.

Some discussion, however, would be needed first.

“If Korea is selected to carry out the project, Korea would be able to make suggestions to meet the demand of the ordering body according to the scope of technology transfer set through negotiation,” he said.

South Korea’s HSR started through its Korean Train Express (KTX), first built there in 2004. Its first HSR trains were based on France’s TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) Alstom models.

However, South Korea came up with its own train sets later.

Yeo said South Korea made its own HSR brand and tech through government-led development boosted by its private sector.

He said should Malaysia get South Korean technology, it would be independent and able to pursue its own projects and run its HSR on its own.

He added that this would mean that a Malaysian HSR operator would be able to carry out its own projects and run its HSR by itself.

According to Korea Railroad, the country has two dedicated high-speed lines: the Gyeongbu (Seoul to Busan, 423.8km) and the Honam (Osong to Gwangju-songjeong, 182.4km).

In a November 2014 StarBiz report, South Korea ambassador to Malaysia Cho Byung-jae said his country wanted to be considered as a “serious contender” for the project.

He said then that companies such as Hyundai Rotem, Samsung and LG were experts in the locomotive industry.

The KL-Singapore HSR is expected to cost RM40bil, with bidding to start possibly next year.

A number of countries, especially China and Japan, have already made known their interest in the project.