Woo Sang-ho Pledges "Subway Line 1, All Aboveground Sections to Be Underground"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Woo Sang-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea running for the Seoul mayoral by-election on April 7, has pledged to underground all sections of Seoul Subway Line 1 and create public housing on the land where the railway tracks are removed.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 21st, at 10 a.m., Rep. Woo announced at the National Assembly Communication Office his sixth policy pledge for "Seoul Dreaming of Tomorrow," emphasizing "balanced development between Gangnam and Gangbuk," stating, "We will underground all above-ground sections of Line 1 and gradually promote the undergrounding of above-ground sections of Lines 2 and 4, as well as the Gyeongui, Gyeongchun, and Jungang Lines."

He plans to create urban green spaces and public housing on the surface areas freed up by the undergrounding. If the above-ground sections of Line 1 from Seoul Station to Guro, Guro to Onsu, Guro to Geumcheon-gu Office, and Cheongnyangni to Chang-dong are completely undergrounded, approximately 175,000 pyeong (about 578,512 square meters) of land will be secured.

Rep. Woo said, "Railways that once crossed the city symbolized industrialization and development, but as development was restricted along the railway boundaries, surrounding areas became slums and noise problems arose, turning the railway into an obstacle causing urban disconnection." He added, "Undergrounding the railway exposed on the surface of downtown Seoul and the integrated development of Seoul Station are the first keys to bridging the disconnected city and resolving inequality and disparity."

He plans to gradually underground the above-ground sections of Lines 2 and 4, as well as the Gyeongui, Gyeongchun, and Jungang Lines, to promote high-density development around stations.

Meanwhile, regarding questions from reporters about Park Young-sun, the former Minister of SMEs and Startups who resigned yesterday and plans to run as the ruling party candidate in the Seoul mayoral by-election, Rep. Woo said, "I am glad that uncertainty has been removed and the candidates participating in the primary have been confirmed." He added, "The Park Young-sun?Woo Sang-ho (duel) will reflect the spirit of the times and play a central role in a game that reveals our party's identity." He continued, "The Seoul mayor needs not just outstanding individual ability but leadership expressed through excellent integrative skills. I want to emphasize that Woo Sang-ho's strengths lie in representing the Democratic Party's identity and leadership."