South Korea boasts a highly developed and extensive transportation network, featuring railways, highways, bus routes, ferry services, and air routes, and is notably one of only three countries operating a maglev train at Incheon International Airport. Modern infrastructure development began with the first Five-Year Development Plan (1962–66), largely driven by rapid urbanization and the need to transport growing populations efficiently. A major early achievement was the completion of the Gyeongbu Expressway, connecting Seoul and Busan, in 1970, followed by significant expansion of the Seoul Subway system and major seaports in the 1970s.
The 1980s saw further improvements in rail and highway networks, leading to the launch of the Korea Train Express (KTX) in April 2004, which revolutionized high-speed intercity travel and significantly reduced domestic air travel. Today, this interconnected system, managed by entities like Korail, continues to expand and enhance the nation's mobility.