Special trains to Cardinal Kim´s tomb

Published Date: June 3, 2009

Korea Railroads is planning to provide a special train and bus service for people who want to visit Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan´s grave outside Seoul.

The former head of Seoul archdiocese died more than three months ago, but people still travel in their hundreds each day to pay their respects to him. On Sundays, more than 2,000 make the trip, according to sources.

Recent reports in local media said that Korea Railroads (KORAIL) plans to launch a special train and bus service for people wishing to visit the late prelate´s grave.

Yoo Ji-man, marketing strategy team manager of KORAIL, confirmed this with UCA News, saying the company plans to start the service in July.

“Cardinal Kim was a famous religious and social leader and lots of people cherish his memory,” he said. “We will offer a transportation service for them.”

Yoo said that it would take about two months to arrange the special transportation schedule, so the service can only begin in late July. Under this service, special trains will depart from various parts of the country to Suwon Station where waiting buses will send visitors directly to Cardinal Kim´s grave site.

Yoo said KORAIL would also offer a train fare discount of up to 50 percent.

An official of the communications office of Seoul archdiocese welcomed the plan but was unwilling to comment further “as this is the commercial business of KORAIL.”

In recent years KORAIL has provided special train services for tourists to famous sights or to large national and international events in the country.

Cardinal Kim died on Feb. 16 at the age of 86 and during his funeral some 400,000 people visited Myeongdong Cathedral to pay their last respects.

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