Gwangju Mayor Bang Se-hwan Visits Ministry of Land, Proposes 'Rail Network Construction' Including Extension of Gyeonggang Line

Request for Cooperation on Key Issues Including Gyeonggang Line Extension and Pangyo-Opo Light Rail Transit Project
Active Proposal of Opinions to Strengthen GTX Functions
Mayor Bang: "We Will Introduce an Inclusive Railway Transportation System for Convenient Citizen Mobility"

On the 6th, Bang Se-hwan, mayor of Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province, visited the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to propose key railway issues for the establishment of a “fast and convenient Gwangju City railway network” as a gateway city in the southeastern metropolitan area, and requested active support and cooperation from the Ministry.

Mayor Bang Se-hwan of Gwangju City (second from left) is handing over a petition regarding railway issues, including the extension of the Gyeonggang Line railway project, to Yoon Jin-hwan, Director of the Railway Bureau at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (center). Provided by Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province

On this day, Mayor Bang met with Yoon Jin-hwan, Director of the Railway Bureau at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, explained the railway policy vision that guarantees minimum mobility rights to all Gwangju citizens, and proposed ▲ extension of the Gyeonggang Line ▲ inclusion of the Pangyo~Opo light rail transit project in the upper-level plan ▲ GTX-D plan ▲ and improvement measures for Gyeonggang Line electric train services.

Along with this, Mayor Bang emphasized the need to improve services to alleviate congestion on the currently operating Gyeonggang Line.

Mayor Bang explained, “The Gyeonggang Line has a high level of congestion among metropolitan area railways due to insufficient train supply compared to demand,” and added, “It is evident that congestion will worsen once development projects centered around the Gwangju, Icheon, and Yeoju railway stations are completed.” Accordingly, he requested the preparation of improvement measures to provide a safer and more comfortable transportation environment for citizens using Gwangju’s railways.

In addition, regarding the Metropolitan Area Express Railway (GTX) announced in January 2024, Mayor Bang actively proposed opinions to strengthen GTX functions so that Gwangju City is not excluded from GTX benefits.

Earlier, in February 2024, Gwangju City jointly proposed the Gyeonggang Line extension railway project with Yongin City and requested positive consideration for its inclusion in the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan. The Gyeonggang Line extension railway is a key project driving the resolution of transportation inconveniences in Gwangju and balanced regional development, serving as an essential transportation means for direct connection to the semiconductor national complex in Nam-sa-eup, Yongin.

Furthermore, he proposed that the Pangyo~Opo light rail transit project, aimed at resolving chronic traffic congestion on National Road No. 57, be promptly reflected and approved in the 2nd Gyeonggi-do Urban Railway Network Construction Plan.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is currently establishing the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan to build a railway network aligned with the restructuring of the national spatial structure and to ensure efficient railway investment, and plans to finalize and announce the plan after a public hearing this year. Additionally, the 2nd Gyeonggi-do Urban Railway Network Construction Plan, submitted for approval by Gyeonggi Province, is scheduled to be approved and announced within the year after review and supplementation by specialized institutions.

Following his visit to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Mayor Bang visited the Korea Transport Institute, which is conducting research on the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan, met with Director Kim Young-chan, and requested positive consideration for the inclusion of the “Gyeonggang Line extension railway project” as a new project.

Mayor Bang Se-hwan stated, “Gwangju City stands at an important point to leap forward as a ‘2030 railway-centered transportation city’ centered on Gyeonggi Gwangju Station,” and added, “In a situation where traffic volume is rapidly increasing due to station area development, we will do our best to enable citizens to move conveniently through the introduction of an inclusive railway transportation system.”