South Korea is developing its own hyperloop technology, called Hypertube, to lead in ultra-high-speed transportation.

A task force was formed on April 9, with 12.7 billion won (US$8.8 million) allocated for initial research.

The Hypertube aims to transport passengers and freight at speeds over 1,200 km/h. Experts believe South Korea’s existing railway systems, like KTX and GTX, offer a strong foundation for the project.

Researchers have developed key components, including high-speed propulsion control, low-pressure tube construction, and superconductive electromagnets. These technologies are crucial for achieving the desired speed and efficiency.

The project, currently in the development phase, is expected to be operational within 10 to 15 years. Test runs are planned by 2037, with commercialization potentially starting in 2038.

🔗 Source: The Korea Times

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Hyperloop’s century-old roots reveal persistent challenges despite technological advancements

The modern hyperloop concept isn’t as revolutionary as it might appear, as similar transportation ideas have circulated for over a century.

In 1910, rocket pioneer Robert Goddard conceptualized a magnetic levitation train that could travel from Boston to New York in just 12 minutes, demonstrating that the core principles have been understood for generations1.

Even earlier, the Beach Pneumatic Transit operated in Manhattan from 1870 to 1873, using compressed air to move passengers through tubes, a primitive version of the same concept1.

This historical context shows that Korea’s technical hurdles aren’t entirely new, despite their advanced capabilities in superconducting magnets and low-pressure tubes.

What’s changed is the technological ecosystem. Korea’s expertise in telecommunications, power infrastructure, and superconductor technology creates an integration opportunity that wasn’t possible for previous generations.

The 10-15 year timeline Korea has set aligns with historical patterns in transportation development, where fundamental concepts often require decades of technological maturation before commercial viability.

2️⃣ East Asia emerges as the global hyperloop battleground due to unique demographic advantages

East Asia represents an ideal testbed for hyperloop technology with its combination of population density, technological capability, and economic incentives.