Gwangju, Yeoju, and Icheon Cities Urge Early Construction of GTX Extension Line

Three Cities Submit Proposal for Adoption of National Policy Tasks to Gyeonggi-do

Urgent Press Conference in Gwangju, Icheon, and Yeoju to Fulfill GTX Pledge [Gwangju City]

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] Three local governments in the eastern and southern parts of Gyeonggi Province (Gwangju, Yeoju, and Icheon) have urged the early commencement of the extension of the 'Metropolitan Area Express Train (GTX)' line from Gwangju to Icheon to Yeoju, a pledge made by President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol.

The heads of these local governments issued a joint statement and held a joint press conference on the 4th at the Icheon Agricultural Technology Center, conveying this message.

The three local government heads stated, "The GTX extension line from Gwangju to Icheon to Yeoju can secure a logistics transportation base at a low project cost by installing a connection point near Samsung Station on the Suseo-Gwangju line and utilizing the existing route of the Gyeonggang Line," adding, "Since this project also meets the conditions for exemption from the preliminary feasibility study, rapid commencement within the president's term is necessary."

They continued, "This is an important time requiring unity among Gwangju, Yeoju, and Icheon for the early commencement and completion of the GTX, which is reflected in the president-elect's campaign promises," emphasizing, "Once the GTX line is connected in the southeastern region, the local transportation network will be dramatically improved and it will also help alleviate the housing shortage in the metropolitan area."

The three cities have been promoting a plan since last year, together with Wonju City in Gangwon Province, to attract the GTX-A (Unjeong?Dongtan) line by connecting the Suseo Station to the Suseo-Gwangju line, extending the route from Gwangju to Icheon to Yeoju to Wonju.

The proposal for adopting GTX expansion as a national agenda was submitted to Gyeonggi Province on the 28th of last month.

Meanwhile, the southeastern Gyeonggi GTX is a project selected as a presidential campaign pledge by President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, aiming to ▲resolve metropolitan area imbalance ▲alleviate overcrowding in the Seoul area and housing shortages through population dispersion ▲achieve carbon neutrality by reducing carbon emissions compared to automobiles ▲solve metropolitan logistics issues through a well-developed railway network ▲expand leisure living areas for metropolitan residents.