The nation's high-speed rail system Korea Train Express (KTX), operated by the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), has transported over 100 million passengers since it started service in April 2004. The bullet train has made South Korea's entire mainland accessible for half-day trips.

In its initial phase, the KTX faced criticism for small stationary seats in economy class, expensive fares and poor access to transfer lines. KORAIL has tried hard to fix the problems and people have warmed to the sleek transport.

KTX currently boasts a 98% punctuality rate -- something that people who are used to airport traffic congestion can fully appreciate, and on April 21, KTX celebrated its 100 millionth passenger: 43-year-old Yoon Kyu-sik from Seoul received a three-year free KTX boarding pass for being No. 100,000,000.

One hundred million passengers in three years is a remarkable record when compared with the high-speed trains of Japan and France. It took the Shinkansen line three more months than the KTX to record 100 million passengers, and the Japanese rail runs twice as long as KTX. For France's TGV Mediterranee, it took five years until they greeted as many passengers.

KORAIL President Lee Chul said, "We have greeted the 100 millionth KTX passenger. It's the same as saying every Koreans has used the rail service more than twice. We will try our best to provide people with even safer and more convenient service, so the bullet train becomes the country's representative transportation brand."