Jeollaseon High-Speed Railway Selected for Government Preliminary Feasibility Study Project

Jeonbuk Iksan∼Yeosu 179.4km Section
About 2 Trillion Won Invested...Approximately 30 Minutes Reduction Effect
Improved Accessibility in Eastern Jeonnam...Expected Reduction in Carbon Emissions

KTX Cheongryong train exterior. [Photo by Jeollanam-do]

The Jeolla Line (Iksan~Yeosu) high-speed railway project was selected as a preliminary feasibility study project by the Ministry of Economy and Finance's Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee on the 31st.

If it passes the preliminary feasibility study by the Ministry of Economy and Finance in October next year, the project will proceed in earnest through basic planning and detailed design.

This project involves upgrading the 179.4 km railway section from Iksan, Jeonbuk to Yeosu, Jeonnam to high-speed, with an estimated investment of about 2 trillion won, reducing the travel time from Yeosu to Yongsan to within 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Once the Jeolla Line high-speed project is successfully completed, accessibility to the eastern region of Jeonnam will greatly improve, and various economic and social effects are expected.

Additionally, the high-speed railway network is expected to significantly contribute to reducing carbon emissions as an eco-friendly transportation mode.

Although there were concerns that the benefits might be insufficient compared to the initial project cost, the project was ultimately selected as a preliminary feasibility study target, thanks in part to Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Young-rok personally advocating for the necessity of the project and reviving the fading momentum.

Governor Kim Young-rok stated, "There have been many ups and downs, including withdrawing the preliminary feasibility study application for the Jeolla Line, but the Jeolla Line high-speed project, initiated with the will of the residents, is expected to greatly improve transportation convenience in Jeonnam and Jeonbuk regions and invigorate the local economy."