TGV train cockpit.jpg

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(Photo source: Wikipedia / Free distribution license image, original author Nicostamb - Nicolas STAMBACH)
This is the cockpit of the TGV Reseau, which served as the technical foundation for the KTX-1. Aside from the round handle that looks like a car steering wheel, the instrument layout is exactly the same as the KTX. Turning that handle clockwise supplies power to the traction motors for acceleration, and turning it counter-clockwise cuts the power to stop accelerating.
In accordance with the TVM (Transmission Voie-Machine) signals sent from the track to the train, a target speed (indicating the speed to accelerate to) appears in the middle of the cockpit instrument panel. The driving method involves turning the handle to accelerate until reaching that target speed, then turning the handle counter-clockwise to cut the power. From that point, the train continues via coasting (moving by inertia rather than traction motor power); if the speed drops slightly while coasting, the handle is turned again to adjust it. This is why, when boarding a power car of an older KTX (20-car train), you may notice that after accelerating on conventional or high-speed lines, the high-pitched sound of the traction motors disappears for a while, leaving only the sound of the wheels rolling. All KTX trains influenced by SNCF's TGV operations (including the latest KTX-Cheongnyong) adhere to this mechanism.