Expressways in South Korea

Expressways (Korean: 고속도로; Hanja: 高速道路; RR: Gosokdoro) in South Korea, officially known as National Expressways (Korean: 고속국도; Hanja: 高速國道; RR: Gosokgukdo), are controlled-access highways that form the highest level of the country's road network. Most sections are tolled and maintained by the Korea Expressway Corporation, though a few routes are built and managed by approved private companies.

National Expressways 고속국도 / Gosokgukdo
The sign of Gyeongbu Expressway
A map of the South Korean National Expressway network
System information
Formed	2 September 1967 (assigned) 21 December 1968 (opened)
Highway names
Expressways:	XX고속도로 고속국도 n호선 XX선 Expressway n XX Expressway (Expwy)
System links
Highway systems of South Korea Expressways National Local

History

On 2 September 1967, the first expressway of South Korea, nowadays Gyeongin Expressway, was assigned^[1] as Second-class National Highway 95 Seoul–Incheon (2급국도 제95호선 서울인천선) by the presidential decree. The very first section of expressway was opened^[2] on 21 December 1968. At first, expressways were assigned as a part of national highways, but since 31 August 1971, they were assigned as the new separated class: National Expressways.^[3]

Under the new numbering scheme implemented on 25 August 2001,^[4] expressway numbers were assigned based on a grid system, reflecting the layout proposed in the 3rd Comprehensive National Territorial Planning^[5] (Korean: 제3차국토종합개발계획) in 1992. This updated system was influenced by the numbering conventions of the Interstate Highway System in the United States. The details are:

• Trunk routes: These are numbered with two digits. North–south routes are assigned odd numbers, while east–west routes are given even numbers. Primary routes are numbered progressively from south to north or west to east, with the first digit increasing and the last digit ending in either 5 or 0.
• Branch routes: Branch routes off trunk routes have three-digit numbers, with the first two digits corresponding to the main trunk route number.
• Circular routes: Circular routes are numbered in increments of 100, based on the postal code system used from 1988 to 2015.
  • Seoul: 1, Capital Region First Ring Expressway (Expressway 100)
  • Daejeon/Chungcheong: 3, Daejeon Southern Ring Expressway (Expressway 300)
  • Incheon/Gyeonggi: 4, Capital Region Second Ring Expressway (Expressway 400)
  • Gwangju/Jeolla: 5, Gwangju Ring Expressway (Expressway 500)
  • Busan/South Gyeongsang: Busan Ring Expressway (Expressway 600)
  • Daegu/North Gyeongsang: Daegu Ring Expressway (Expressway 700)
• Route numbers ranging from 70 to 99 are reserved for potential use following Korean reunification and are currently unused.
• There are a few exceptions:
  • The Gyeongbu Expressway is an exception to the numbering rules. Due to its critical importance in the network, it retains the route number 1.
  • There are multiple east–west branches on Capital Region First Ring Expressway (Expressway 100), but they are not numbered as the rule of branch routes; instead, they are numbered 110, 120, and 130, respectively.

The current highway shield for expressways is inspired by U.S. highway signage, combining the shape of U.S. Highway shields with the red, white, and blue color scheme of U.S. Interstate shields which are the same colors used in the South Korean flag.

Most of the expressway network is managed by the Korea Expressway Corporation. Since 2000, however, some routes have been constructed and operated by private companies under government approval. These privately operated routes are managed for a limited time before transitioning to public control.

List of expressways

Number	Name		Origin	Terminus	Length		Note
	English	Korean			km	mi
	Gyeongbu	경부고속도로	Geumjeong, Busan	Seocho, Seoul	416.1	258.6
	Namhae	남해고속도로	Haksan, Yeongam	Haeryong, Suncheon	106.8	66.4
			Seo, Suncheon	Buk, Busan	166.3	103.3
	Muan–Gwangju	무안광주고속도로	Mang-un, Muan	Gwangsan, Gwangju	41.3	25.7
	Gwangju–Daegu	광주대구고속도로	Buk District, Gwangju	Okpo, Dalseong	176.0	109.4	Partially concurrent with Honam Expwy
	Hamyang–Ulsan	함양울산고속도로	Jigok, Hamyang	Cheongnyang, Ulju	144.6	89.9	Partially opened
	Seohaean	서해안고속도로	Samhyang, Muan	Geumcheon, Seoul	336.1	208.8
	Ulsan	울산고속도로	Eonyang, Ulju	Nam, Ulsan	14.3	8.9
	Iksan–Pyeongtaek	익산평택고속도로	Wanggung, Iksan	Anjung, Pyeongtaek	131.7	81.8	Partially opened Private operation
	Pyeongtaek–Paju	평택파주고속도로	Oseong, Pyeongtaek	Gunnae, Paju	117.7	73.1	Partially opened Private operation
	Saemangeum–Pohang	새만금포항고속도로	Jinbong, Gimje	Sanggwan, Wanju	55.1	34.2	Under construction
			Sanggwan, Wanju	Janggye, Jangsu	36.5	22.7
			Dong, Daegu	Heunghae, Pohang	69.4	43.1
	Honam	호남고속도로	Seo, Suncheon	Mokcheon, Cheonan	276.2	171.6	Partially in private operation (previously separated as Nonsan–Cheonan Expwy)
	Suncheon–Wanju	순천완주고속도로	Haeryong, Suncheon	Yongjin, Wanju	117.8	73.2
	Sejong–Pocheon	세종포천고속도로	Guri	Sinbuk, Pocheon	44.6	27.7	Private operation
			Geumgwang, Anseong	Guri	72.2	44.9
			Janggun, Sejong	Geumgwang, Anseong	55.9	34.7	Under construction
	Seosan–Yeongdeok	서산영덕고속도로	Daesan, Seosan	Yeongdeok, Yeongdeok	330.8	205.5	Partially opened Partially concurrent with Honam Branch and Gyeongbu Expwy
	Dangjin–Cheongju	당진청주고속도로	Songak, Dangjin	Ochang, Cheongju	71.8	44.6	Partially opened Partially in private operation Partially concurrent with Gyeongbu Expwy
	Tongyeong–Daejeon	통영대전고속도로	Yongnam, Tongyeong	Dong, Daejeon	215.3	133.8
	Jungbu	중부고속도로	Nami, Cheongju	Hanam	117.2	72.8
	2nd Jungbu	제2중부고속도로	Majang, Icheon	Hanam	31.1	19.3
	Pyeongtaek–Jecheon	평택제천고속도로	Cheongbuk, Pyeongtaek	Geumseong, Jecheon	127.4	79.2
	Jungbu Naeryuk	중부내륙고속도로	Naeseo, Changwon	Okcheon, Yangpyeong	301.7	187.5
	Yeongdong	영동고속도로	Namdong, Incheon	Seongsan, Gangneung	234.4	145.6
	Gwangju–Wonju	광주원주고속도로	Chowol, Gwangju	Wonju	57.0	35.4	Private operation
	Jungang	중앙고속도로	Sasang, Busan	Chuncheon	388.1	241.2	Partially in private operation Partially concurrent with Gyeongbu Expwy
	Seoul–Yangyang	서울양양고속도로	Gangdong, Seoul	Seo, Yangyang	150.2	93.3	Partially in private operation
	Donghae	동해고속도로	Haeundae, Busan	Ganggu, Yeongdeok	131.8	81.9	Partially opened Partially in private operation
			Geundeok, Samcheok	Sokcho	122.6	76.2
	Capital Region 1st Ring	수도권제1순환고속도로	Seongnam	Seongnam	128.0	79.5	Partially in private operation
	Namhae Branch 1	남해고속도로제1지선	Sanin, Haman	Dong, Changwon	17.9	11.1
	Namhae Branch 2	남해고속도로제2지선	Gimhae	Sasang, Busan	20.6	12.8
	Namhae Branch 3	남해고속도로제3지선	Changwon	Jillye, Gimhae	15.3	9.5	Private operation
	2nd Gyeongin	제2경인고속도로	Jung, Incheon	Seongnam	70.0	43.5	Partially in private operation
	Gyeongin	경인고속도로	Seo, Incheon	Yangcheon, Seoul	13.4	8.3
	Incheon Int'l Airport	인천국제공항고속도로	Jung, Incheon	Goyang	36.5	22.7	Private operation
	Seocheon–Gongju	서천공주고속도로	Hwayang, Seocheon	Useong, Gongju	61.4	38.2
	Pyeongtaek–Siheung	평택시흥고속도로	Cheongbuk, Pyeongtaek	Siheung	42.6	26.5	Private operation
	Osan–Hwaseong	오산화성고속도로	Osan	Hwaseong	2.6	1.6	Private operation
	Yongin–Seoul	용인서울고속도로	Yongin	Seocho, Seoul	22.9	14.2	Private operation
173	Iksan–Pyeongtaek Branch	익산평택고속도로지선	Hyeondeok, Pyeongtaek	Poseung, Pyeongtaek	5.7	3.5	Private operation
	Saemangeum–Pohang Branch	새만금포항고속도로지선	Gigye, Pohang	Heunghae, Pohang	24.0	14.9	Planned
204	Saemangeum–Pohang Branch	새만금포항고속도로지선	Wanggung, Iksan	Sanggwan, Wanju	24.5	15.2
	Honam Branch	호남고속도로지선	Yeonmu, Nonsan	Daedeok, Daejeon	54.0	33.6
	Gochang–Damyang	고창담양고속도로	Gosu, Gochang	Daedeok, Damyang	42.5	26.4
255	Gangjin–Gwangju	강진광주고속도로	Jakcheon, Gangjin	Seo, Gwangju	51.1	31.8	Under construction
292	Osong Branch	세종포천고속도로오송지선	Jeondong, Sejong	Osong, Cheongju	6.2	3.9	Under construction
	Daejeon Southern Ring	대전남부순환고속도로	Yuseong, Daejeon	Dong, Daejeon	20.9	13.0	Partially concurrent with Tongyeong–Daejeon Expwy
	Yeongcheon–Sangju	영천상주고속도로	Bugan, Yeongcheon	Nakdong, Sangju	93.9	58.3	Private operation
	Capital Region 2nd Ring	수도권제2순환고속도로	Mado, Hwaseong	Docheok, Gwangju	63.0	39.1	Private operation
			Docheok, Gwangju	Sanbuk, Yeoju	19.4	12.1	Under construction
			Mado, Hwaseong	Ansan	13.5	8.4	Fully concurrent with Pyeongtaek–Siheung Expwy
			Ansan	Siheung	2.4	1.5
			Jung, Incheon	Yangchon, Gimpo	28.9	18.0	Private operation
			Yangchon, Gimpo	Paju, Paju	25.4	15.8	Under construction
			Paju, Paju	Yangju	24.8	15.4	Partially opened
			Yangju	Soheul, Pocheon	6.0	3.7	Private operation
			Soheul, Pocheon	Okcheon, Yangpyeong	46.3	28.8
	Jungbu Naeryuk Branch	중부내륙고속도로지선	Hyeonpung, Dalseong	Buk, Daegu	30.0	18.6
	Gwangju Ring	광주외곽순환고속도로	Gwangsan, Gwangju	Nam, Jangseong	9.7	6.0
	Jungang Branch	중앙고속도로지선	Gimhae	Yangsan	18.1	112
	Busan Ring	부산외곽순환고속도로	Jinyeong, Gimhae	Ilgwang, Gijang	48.8	30.3
	Daegu Ring	대구외곽순환고속도로	Dalseo, Daegu	Dong, Daegu	32.9	20.4

Numbering scheme until 2001

Route number		Route name		Origins (former)	Terminal (former)	Approval
Former	Current	English	Korean
1	1	Gyeongbu	경부선	Seoul	Busan	8 April 1969
2	120	Gyeongin	경인선	Seoul	Incheon	2 September 1967
3	25, 251	Honam	호남선	Daejeon	Suncheon	21 April 1970
3-2	253	Gwangju Bypass	광주외곽선	Jangseong	Damyang	27 August 1997
4	50	Yeongdong	영동선	Yongin	Gangneung	31 August 1971
5	65	Donghae	동해선	Sokcho	Donghae	23 August 1973
6	10, 102	Namhae	남해선	Busan	Suncheon	8 December 1971
6-2	104	Namhae 2nd Branch	남해제2지선	Busan	Gimhae	22 June 1978
6-3	10	Masan Bypass	마산외곽선	Changwon	Haman	27 August 1997
7	45, 451	Guma	구마선	Daegu	Masan	19 March 1976
8	16	Ulsan	울산선	Ulju	Ulsan	22 June 1978
9	12	88 Olympic	88올림픽선	Dalseong	Damyang	22 June 1978
10	35	Jungbu	중부선	Hanam	Cheongwon	29 May 1985
10-2	37	2nd Jungbu	제2중부선	Hanam	Icheon	27 August 1997
11	15, 50, 110	Seohaean	서해안선	Incheon	Muan	25 July 1991
12	50	Singal–Ansan	신갈~안산선	Yongin	Ansan	14 July 1988
13	300	Daejeon Southern Ring	대전남부순환선	Daejeon	Daejeon	14 July 1988
14	55	Jungang	중앙선	Daegu	Chuncheon	20 October 1989
15	110	2nd Gyeongin	제2경인선	Anyang	Incheon	25 July 1991
16	15	Seoul–Ansan	서울~안산선	Seoul	Ansan	29 April 1992
17	35	Daejeon–Tongyeong	대전~통영선	Daejeon	Tongyeong	29 April 1992
18	45	Jungbu Naeryuk	중부내륙선	Yeoju	Dalseong	29 April 1992
19	55	Busan–Daegu	부산~대구선	Busan	Daegu	29 April 1992
19-2	551	Branch of Busan–Daegu	부산~대구선 지선	Gimhae	Yangsan	29 April 1992
20	130	Incheon International Airport	인천국제공항선	Goyang	Incheon	27 September 1993
21	25	Cheonan–Nonsan	천안~논산선	Cheonan	Nonsan	1 July 1996
22	30	Daejeon–Dangjin	대전~당진선	Daejeon	Dangjin	1 July 1996
23	30	Cheongju–Sangju	청주~상주선	Cheongwon	Sangju	1 July 1996
24	40	Pyeongtaek–Eumseong	평택~음성선	Pyeongtaek	Eumseong	27 August 1997
25	151	Gongju–Seocheon	공주~서천선	Gongju	Seocheon	27 August 1997
26	20	Iksan–Jangsu	익산~장수선	Iksan	Jangsu	27 August 1997
27	22,[6] 20	Gimcheon–Pohang	김천~포항선	Gimcheon	Pohang	27 August 1997
27-2	20	Branch of Gimcheon–Pohang	김천~포항선 지선	Daegu	Yeongcheon	27 August 1997
101	100	Seoul Ring	서울외곽순환선	Seongnam	Seongnam	14 January 1988

Electronic toll collection

Main article: Hi-pass

Hipass-only lane in Hoengseong IC TG, Jungang Expressway

Hi-pass is an electronic toll collection system for the expressways in South Korea.

Some interchanges are designed only for cars with hi-pass.

Traffic restrictions

Highway bus lane on Gyeongbu Expressway in the Republic of Korea

From Sintanjin interchange, Daejeon to Yangjae interchange, Seoul, a pair of central lanes are dedicated as a bus lane on holidays; technically, it is operated as HOV-6 with cars with 9+ passenger capacity. On weekdays, the restriction is narrowed to Anseong interchange, Anseong to Yangjae interchange.

Motorway ahead and no motorcycles sign

Since June 1, 1972, all motorcycles except police motorcycles are prohibited from driving on expressways in South Korea, regardless of engine displacement. Before 1972, motorcycles with an engine displacement greater than 250 cc were permitted on expressways.^[7][8]

Since March 15, 1992, all motorcycles except police motorcycles have been banned from certain other roads designated for motor vehicles only.^{[9][10][11][12]} These roads are marked by a circular blue sign with a white silhouette of a car.

See also

• Transport in South Korea
  • Road transport in South Korea
  • Rail transport in South Korea
  • Rapid transit in South Korea
• Highway system in South Korea
  • National highways of South Korea
  • Local highways of South Korea
  • Motorways in North Korea