Subway Line 5 Gangdong~Hanam Section Increased by 2 Trains During Morning Rush Hour

Reduced Inconvenience for Subway Commuters During Rush Hour
Gangdong-gu "Continued Efforts to Promote Line 5 Direct Connection Project"

Gangdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Soo-hee) announced on the 29th that starting December 2, two additional trains will be operated during the morning rush hour on the Gangdong~Hanam section of Subway Line 5 to alleviate congestion.

Crowded interior view of Sangildong Station during rush hour. Provided by Gangdong-gu.

Line 5 is a route that passes through the eastern part of Seoul and the cities north of the Han River, with high demand leading to increasing calls from residents for congestion improvement. In particular, Gangdong-gu faces structural limitations where the line branches toward Hanam and Macheon after Gangdong Station, resulting in long intervals between trains. Since the extension of the Hanam Line in 2021, demand has continuously increased, exacerbating residents' inconvenience due to congestion.

In response, the district has been actively expressing Gangdong-gu’s position to the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Metro, continuously cooperating with related organizations to improve congestion on Line 5. As a result, Seoul Metro decided to add two more trains during the morning rush hour starting December 2, following the four additional trains implemented in March last year.

This increase on Line 5 involves additional train operations on the Gangdong Station~Hanam Geomdansan Station section during the morning rush hour. One northbound train will depart Hanam Geomdansan Station at 08:06 and arrive at Gangdong Station at 08:28, and the same train will turn back, departing Gangdong Station at 08:35 and arriving at Hanam Geomdansan Station at 08:57, adding two trips in total?one northbound and one southbound.

Mayor Lee Soo-hee said, “The addition of trains is like rain in a drought at a time when residents’ inconvenience in using the subway was increasing,” and added, “We will actively consult with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and related organizations to promptly advance the Line 5 direct connection project to complement the structural limitations of Line 5 branching at Gangdong Station.”