Public Get First Glance at Presidential Rail Transport “Train One”
 

– Unbeknownst to the general public, “Train One”, the rail transport of South Korean presidents, was first arranged in 1979. Operating in relative anonymity for 38 years, it was finally unveiled to the public on December 19 through a trip President Moon Jae-in took from Seoul to the east coast city of Gangneung – located not far from Pyeongchang, the host of the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics.

The sojourn was part of a promotional event to boost awareness of the upcoming Winter Games. Twenty individuals who were selected via an online raffle were in attendance, and lunched with the president in the passenger car reserved for meetings. 

Following his meal with the 20 lucky individuals, Moon held a meet-and-greet with sports journalists in a separate passenger car, and on the return leg of the trip back to Seoul, spoke with media members from NBC. 

Throughout the day, outsiders were able to get a close-up look at the interior of Train One.

The Blue House pointed out that the trip marked the first time journalists and non-credentialed individuals had boarded the president’s train.

The head and tail of Train One are that of the KTX, South Korea’s fastest railroad train. In between are eight passenger cars, one of which is the aforementioned meeting carriage for the president. 

Another passenger car is designated for the president’s personal use and features an office with enough space to hold meetings.

The other six passenger cars are divided into one VIP class and five standard carriages. Typically, top Blue House chiefs ride in the former and lower-ranked officials stay in the latter. 

Adapting to technological improvements, Train One was upgraded to KTX service in 2010. The Blue House also has the services of one saemaeul-ho class train, a slower train model than the KTX. 

The Blue House stated that the current administration has so far not used the “Kyeongbuk-ho”, the name of the train. It is being kept as an alternative option to Train One, according to the presidential residence.

Source : http://koreabizwire.com/public-get-first-glance-at-presidential-rail-transport-train-one/105063

Comprehension

When was the presidential train “Train One” first arranged?
In what year was Train One publicly revealed?
Which South Korean president took the first public trip on Train One?
What was the purpose of President Moon Jae-in’s train trip in December 2017?
How many people were chosen to join the president on the train, and how were they selected?
What did President Moon do with the media on the return trip to Seoul?
What is unique about the head and tail of Train One?
What is the “Kyeongbuk-ho,” according to the Blue House?

Discussion

Why do you think it took so long for the public to know about Train One?
Do you think it’s important for leaders to connect with the public in unique ways, like taking a train trip? Why or why not?
How can events like this help promote large national events, like the Olympics?
Why might the president have different areas in the train for meetings and personal use?
What are some ways technology can improve public transportation?
Why do you think the Blue House also keeps a slower train, the saemaeul-ho class, as an option?
What might be the benefits of holding informal meetings during a train ride?
How do you think people feel when they get a rare opportunity to meet their country’s president?
How important is privacy and security for leaders on transportation?
Would you enjoy traveling on a train like Train One? Why or why not?

Vocabulary

Unbeknownst - unknown or unnoticed by others.
Sojourn - a temporary stay or journey.
Promotional - intended to advertise or publicize something.
Credentialed - having official documents or recognition, often for a specific role.
Carriage - a vehicle or compartment in a train.
Upgrade - to improve or raise something to a better standard.
Alternative - another option or choice.
Anonymity - the condition of being unknown or unrecognized.