Korea’s smallest train stations - usually called ganiyeok, or "mini stations" - have long provided a feeling of nostalgia, reminding of the old days when nearly everyone in the big cities had originally come from tiny little villages and would pass through these old stations, whether on the way to study and make their fortunes, or to return to their family home.

	» Hwarangdae Station

	» Simcheon Station

	» Ilsan Station

	» Dogyeongri Station

	» Cheongso Station

The problem is that many are ageing, and government authorities are torn between the need to make way for progress and not spend money on structures that in most cases no longer serve the same functions they used to, and a desire to preserve some of Korea’s heritage. After much study and debate, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) has decided to register 12 out of 100 existing "mini stations" as officially recognized "cultural properties." Its decision is based on a study of 65 of the stations during the months of July, August, and September of last year and advice from experts also familiar with historical documentation on the stations.

	» Dongchon Station

	» Gudun Station

	» Songjeong Station

	» Gaeun Station

The CHA also ran into problems when residents in locales that stood to have their old stations torn down responded angrily and demanded that they be preserved. One of the compromises the CHA has offered is to move some stations to other locations and away from transport logistics centers.

Korea’s first train railroad was built in 1899.

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