Proposal to Submit Reference Materials on Transportation Deprivation in Jongno District
Jongno-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jeong Munheon) announced on the 17th that it will deliver a petition signed by residents wishing for the swift resumption of the Gangbuk Transversal Line to the Ministry of Economy and Finance this month.
The district conducted a "Resident Wish Project Signature Campaign" from February until the 3rd of this month to ensure that the Gangbuk Transversal Line is not halted or that areas within the district are not excluded from alternative routes. A total of 33,763 people who shared this sentiment participated in the signing, including 6,700 residents from Buam and Pyeongchang-dong and 1,357 students from Sangmyung University.
Since February, Jongno-gu has been conducting a petition campaign to re-promote the Gangbuk Transverse Line. In March, Jeong Mun-heon, the mayor of Jongno-gu (second from the right in the photo), was seen conducting the petition campaign at Sangmyung University. Provided by Jongno-gu. Photo by Jeong Mun-heon
The Gangbuk Transversal Line, which passes through seven autonomous districts in Seoul, is a light rail line extending 25.72 km from Cheongnyangni Station to Mokdong Station. It consists of a total of 19 stations, including Pyeongchang-dong and Buam-dong within Jongno.
Originally planned as a 2 trillion won project by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, it was rejected in June last year during the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s preliminary feasibility study review due to low economic viability. The northwestern areas of the district, such as Buam-dong and Pyeongchang-dong, are railway infrastructure deserts with weak public transportation infrastructure, accessible only by bus or private car, resulting in severe habitual congestion on major roads.
Accordingly, the district judged that activities to promote the resumption of the Gangbuk Transversal Line, reflecting the earnest wishes of residents, are necessary to alleviate transportation inconveniences in the Gangbuk area and to promote balanced regional development. The signature campaign took place at Sangmyung University, Seoul Arts High School, and Seoul Arts Center, involving not only residents but also event attendees and faculty members from various sectors of society.
In addition to the petition, Jongno-gu plans to submit a proposal requesting the Ministry to consider including the Pyeongchang-dong to Sangmyung University section of the Gangbuk Transversal Line and to use the transportation deprivation situation in Jongno as reference material.
District Mayor Jeong Munheon stated, "A re-investigation that considers the problems of the current preliminary feasibility study and the unique characteristics of the region is urgently needed," adding, "To resolve the inconveniences of residents in Pyeongchang and Buam-dong, where there are no railway transportation facilities, and to promote balanced development in Seoul, I will personally deliver the petition signed by over 34,000 people to the Ministry of Economy and Finance within this month."
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