Realization of Myeonmok Line Underground Light Rail Project
District Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi "Expect Significant Improvement in Urban Accessibility"
The construction project of the Myeonmok Line urban railway, connecting Sinnnae Station (Line 6) in Jungnang-gu, Seoul, to Cheongnyangni Station (Line 1) in Dongdaemun-gu, passed the preliminary feasibility study review by the Ministry of Economy and Finance on the 5th, entering the stage of project realization.
Ryu Gyeong-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, stated, “The passing of the Myeonmok Line preliminary feasibility study is hoped to serve as a catalyst to provide transportation services to transportation-vulnerable areas, promote balanced regional development, and address timely challenges such as the redevelopment of old downtown areas,” adding, “We will actively cooperate with related organizations such as the Seoul Metropolitan Government to ensure the prompt advancement of the project.”
The Myeonmok Line urban railway construction project has been a long-cherished wish of Jungnang-gu. The Myeonmok Line is an underground light rail (subway) line starting from Sinnnae-dong in Jungnang-gu, passing through Mangu-dong and Myeonmok-dong, and connecting to Cheongnyangni in Dongdaemun-gu, with a total length of approximately 9.1 km.
It began as a private investment project in 2005 but was converted to a public finance project in 2018 due to changes in project promotion conditions. Subsequently, in November 2018, it was approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as part of the 2nd Seoul Metropolitan Urban Railway Network Plan, and in August 2021, it was selected as a target project for the preliminary feasibility study by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The preliminary feasibility study officially commenced in October 2021.
Jungnang-gu stated, “The district has made efforts to reflect the strong desire for the project and the earnest wishes of residents in the KDI comprehensive evaluation,” adding, “As a result, with the decision to pass the preliminary feasibility study by the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s Public Finance Project Evaluation Committee, a regional long-standing project of over 20 years has come to fruition.”
Jungnang-gu expects that with the passing of the preliminary feasibility study, the transportation conditions in the Sinnnae, Mangu, and Myeonmok areas, which have been weak in public transportation, will greatly improve. In particular, it is anticipated that the exclusion of urban railway (subway) underserved areas will significantly enhance accessibility to major downtown areas of Seoul.
Since the Myeonmok Line, which passed the preliminary feasibility study, requires step-by-step progress such as basic planning, design, and construction until its opening, Jungnang-gu announced that it will actively request related organizations such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to ensure the early promotion of the Myeonmok Line.
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