"Is It Reasonable for GTX-C Line to Pass Through Wangsimni Station Without Stopping?"

Seongdong-gu Submits Petition with 150,997 Signatures to Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on 12th, Conveying Residents' Strong Will... Seongdong-gu: "Wangsimni Station is the Largest Transportation Hub in the Northeast Area, Serving Subway Lines 2 & 5, Bundang Line, Gyeongui-Jungang Line, and the Planned Dongbuk Light Rail" and "With the Establishment of GTX-C Line at Wangsimni Station, Transfer Effects with Lines 2 and 5 Will Enable the Fastest Connection to Downtown Gangbuk Areas like Myeongdong, Jongno, and Hongdae, Creating Economic Synergy Through Integration with Existing Lines and Surrounding Development Projects"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) submitted a petition with 150,000 signatures from residents demanding the establishment of Wangsimni Station on the GTX-C line to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 29th of last month.

The signature campaign, led by the residents' promotion committee, began on the 16th of last month through both online and offline channels, and within just 12 days, 150,997 residents, accounting for over 50% of Seongdong-gu's population, participated.

The GTX-C line was originally planned to pass underground through the residential area of Seongsu-dong, but following the decision at the end of May to change the route to pass under Wangsimni Station, demands from Seongdong-gu residents for the establishment of Wangsimni Station surged.

In response, the district quickly formed a task force team, organized promotion committees with more than 30 members in each of the 17 neighborhoods, and a district promotion committee of 28 members. They also began policy consultations with railway experts and feasibility study research.

Kim Yeon-po, the head of the promotion committee, stated, “The promotion committee is actively promoting the validity of attracting Wangsimni Station through the signature campaign and holding resolution rallies. The fact that over 150,000 people signed within 12 days expresses the strong will of Seongdong-gu residents who earnestly desire the establishment of Wangsimni Station and the citizens who use the station. Among the six autonomous districts in central Seoul through which the GTX-C line passes, Seongdong-gu is the only one where the train passes without stopping, which is unfair and unequal.”

Seongdong-gu announced that when delivering the petition to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, they strongly requested that Wangsimni Station be included in the “GTX-C Line Basic Plan” along with emphasizing the necessity of establishing the station.

A district official said, “Wangsimni Station is the largest transportation hub in the northeastern area where Subway Lines 2 and 5, the Bundang Line, the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, and the Dongbuk Light Rail Transit (planned) stop. If Wangsimni Station is newly established on the GTX-C line, the transfer effect with Lines 2 and 5 will allow the fastest connection to northern downtown areas such as Myeongdong, Jongno, and Hongdae. The establishment will bring enormous economic synergy effects through transfer connections with existing lines and various surrounding development projects.”

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “Wangsimni Station is the largest transfer hub in northern Seoul with an annual total usage of about 109 million people. If the GTX-C line stops at Wangsimni Station, it will greatly contribute not only to local residents but also to citizens commuting from the Gyeonggi area to Seoul by reducing commuting time and improving transportation convenience.”