[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Gunsan Port and the Gunjang National Industrial Complex in Gunsan City, Jeonbuk, are preparing to leap forward as logistics hubs in the Pan Yellow Sea region through the opening of the Gunjang National Industrial Complex inbound railway (Gunsan Port Line) and the Iksan~Daeya double-track electrified railway.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Rail Network Authority announced on the 10th that with the completion of the Gunjang National Industrial Complex inbound railway (Daeya Station~Gunsan Port Station) and the Iksan~Daeya double-track electrified railway construction, they will start commercial operations along with an opening ceremony. The inbound railway refers to a railway that connects the industrial complex and port to major trunk railways to transport key items such as steel, coal resources, and containers.
The opening ceremony was held at Gunsan Port Station considering ease of social distancing and symbolism to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A minimum number of fewer than 100 people, including officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Korea Rail Network Authority, and local governments, participated.
Both projects were simultaneously launched in December 2012 and have been underway for eight years. The Gunsan Port Line was constructed with a total project cost of 616.7 billion KRW and has a total length of 28.6 km, consisting of one Gunsan Port Station, 19 bridges (7.7 km), four tunnels (1.2 km), and 19.7 km of earthworks. The freight handling function of the existing Gunsan Station has been transferred to Gunsan Port Station, and major items such as paper, coal, steel, and containers will be transported to regions like Gwangyang area (520 TEU/day) and Busan area (132 TEU/day).
The Gunsan and Gunsan 2 National Industrial Complexes house about 700 companies as of June, including Doosan Infracore, Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle, and SeAH Steel. With the opening of the Gunsan Port Line, logistics transportation of construction machinery, parts, and steel will be linked to the nationwide national railway network, enabling large-scale transportation with punctuality and stability. Companies located in Gunsan Port and the industrial complex expect significant economic benefits and competitiveness by establishing an integrated transportation system linking the national railway network and Gunsan Port Station, turning the industrial complex and port into logistics hubs.
The current 3rd National Railway Network Construction Plan includes not only the Gunsan Port Line but also the construction plan for the Saemangeum Port inbound railway (total length 47.6 km), branching from Okgu Signal Station and connecting to Saemangeum Port.
Gunsan Port Line and Iksan~Daeya Double Track Railway Route Map (Provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)
The Iksan~Daeya double-track electrified railway involved an investment of 494.6 billion KRW and has a total length of 14.3 km. It consists of one Daeya Station, 11 bridges (7.5 km), and 6.8 km of earthworks. With this opening, track capacity has increased from 23 to 130 daily trips, and 15 level crossings have been grade-separated, enabling safe passage for local residents.
This Iksan~Daeya double-track electrified railway project is the first phase of the Janghang Line double-track electrification project. When the entire 118.6 km section is completed in 2024, the major trunk railway network of the West Coast Axis (Gyeongbu Line~Janghang Line~Jeolla Line) will be completed, and in the future, the Janghang Line will connect with the Seohae Line, Wonsi-Sosa Line, Sosa-Daego Line, and Gyeongui Line, improving metropolitan area accessibility for residents of the West Coast Axis region.
Kim Hyun-mi, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "With this opening, Gunsan will leap forward as a logistics hub on the West Coast Axis, and the industrial complex and port will be linked to the national railway network, greatly contributing to the development of logistics competitiveness in the Pan Yellow Sea region and revitalization of the local economy." She added, "Along with the opening of the Iksan~Daeya double-track electrified railway, we plan to complete the electrification of the Janghang Line by 2024 and introduce the semi-high-speed train (EMU-260) on the Seohae Line Axis to expand the benefits of high-speed rail and promote balanced regional development."
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