Park Chang-seok, a member of the Daegu Metropolitan Council (People Power Party·Gunwi-gun), announced on the 15th that he urged the Daegu mayor through a written administrative inquiry to prepare a comprehensive development plan following the establishment of Gunwi Station on the Jungang Line.
On the 19th, the double-track electrified Jungang Line (Chungbuk Danyang Dodam Station~Gyeongbuk Yeongcheon Station) passing through Gunwi Station will be opened, and by the end of 2025, the high-speed train (KTX-Eum) is scheduled to stop at Gunwi Station.
Accordingly, the number of tourists visiting Gunwi through Gunwi Station is expected to increase significantly, and regional economic revitalization is anticipated. However, there are growing concerns that due to insufficient infrastructure around the station, the opportunity for regional development, which has come after a long wait, might be missed.
In his written administrative inquiry, Daegu Metropolitan Council member Park Chang-seok pointed out, “A comprehensive plan to welcome domestic and international visitors, including station area development around Gunwi Station, establishment of public transportation networks, and construction of connecting roads, has not been prepared, raising concerns that Gunwi Station might become an empty station with only the building remaining.”
Park argued, “To increase the proportion of the resident population who visit and stay in the area, it is urgent to develop new tourism products and introduce tourism content centered on Gunwi Station.” The resident population includes those who reside or stay for a certain period in the area according to the ‘Special Act on Support for Population Declining Areas,’ such as registered residents, people visiting for commuting, schooling, tourism, recreation, business, and foreign residents.
Park further stated, “With the city bus route reorganization in February 2025, the establishment of route 9-2 (Buk-gu Dongho-dong~Bugye-myeon~Samgukyusa-myeon) passing through Gunwi Station is expected to partially improve accessibility to Gunwi Station. However, the interval between buses on the new route is too long, and the number of daily operations (scheduled 4 to 5 times) is insufficient to meet the increasing demand for public transportation,” demanding a reduction in bus intervals and an increase in the number of operations on the route.
Park emphasized, “It is necessary to construct an optimal connecting road from Donggunwi IC to Gunwi Station to improve accessibility for visitors using private cars,” and inquired about Daegu city’s position on the road construction plan connecting Daegu to Gunwi Station.
He also said, “When Gunwi Station operates, a tremendous business demand linked to the TK New Airport and a large influx of tourists are expected, but currently, Gunwi-gun lacks business support facilities and accommodation,” requesting Daegu city’s opinion on establishing a station area development plan for Gunwi Station.
Finally, Park said, “Looking at the current map of Daegu city, Gunwi-gun resembles a wing that lifts the eight districts of Daegu, and once the TK New Airport construction is completed, Gunwi-gun will play a pivotal wing role for Daegu city,” urging, “I hope Daegu city and Gunwi-gun will definitely form a consultative body to prepare a comprehensive development plan for Gunwi Station.”
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