Page "Infrastructure" Paragraph 94

An interesting comparison between privatization versus government-sponsored public works involves high speed rail ( HSR ) projects in East Asia.

In 1998, the Taiwan government awarded the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation, a private organization, to construct the 345 km line from Taipei to Kaohsiung in a 35-year concession contract.

Conversely, in 2004 the South Korean government charged the Korean High Speed Rail Construction Authority, a public entity, to construct its high speed rail line, 412 km from Seoul to Busan, in two phases.

While different implementation strategies, Taiwan successfully delivered the HSR project in terms of project management ( time, cost, and quality ), whereas South Korea successfully delivered its HSR project in terms of product success ( meeting owners ' and users ' needs, particularly in ridership ).

Additionally, South Korea successfully created a technology transfer of high speed rail technology from French engineers, essentially creating an industry of HSR manufacturing capable of exporting knowledge, equipment, and parts worldwide.