Chocolates and Romance
Korail CEO Choi Yeon-hye won the top prize in the creative innovation sector at the 2015 Korea Creative Economy CEO Awards ceremony.
The award is given to the best CEO who takes the lead in creating and vitalizing the creative economy ecosystem with superior leadership.
Choi received the grand prize in the social responsibility management sector last year.
Korail’s representative example of the creative economy is the railway tourism belt. The five railway tourism belts, which blend regional lines and the unique culture of each region, have brought in 82.2 billion won (US$75.22 million) and created jobs for 1,039 people just one year and eight months after the opening.
In particular, Bucheon station, which was used by less than 10 passengers a day, became one of the busiest stations, visited by 1,000 tourists a day, after Korail launched its O-train and V-train. Also, the station set a real record of a total of 106,000 tourists visited for 58 days, after creating a Santa town with the concept of snow and Santa.
Korail launched new alcoholic beverages and chocolates to sell to tourists as well. It released the traditional liquor products, which were made by state-designated masters, contained in its railroad car models, including the KTX-Sancheon and the ITX-Saemaeul at the end of last year. The products have become hits soon after their release.
The train-shaped chocolates, which were elaborately designed in the images of various tourist trains including the Rail Cruise Haerang and O and V trains, were originally produced as souvenirs. However, they became regular products due to their high popularity.
Moreover, the love letter stairs at Seoul station are also becoming popular. The stairs were created for Seoul station users to rest and relax and have romantic dates. With the spot becoming a dating attraction for couples, it is emerging as a shooting location for TV dramas and movies too.
Choi said, “The railroad is an industry which has unlimited potential and development possibilities in the creative economy. Korail will contribute to the balanced development of regions and the improvement of national competitiveness using its railroad infrastructure.”