Kim Moonsoo Vows to Expand GTX to Five Major Metropolitan Regions Nationwide if Elected President

Complete Six GTX Lines in the Seoul Metropolitan Area During Term
Reduce Budget Burden by Entrusting Construction to Private Companies
Accelerate Completion by Streamlining Licensing Procedures

Kim Moonsoo, former Minister of Employment and Labor and a presidential preliminary candidate for the People Power Party, announced on April 21 that, if elected president, he would complete six metropolitan express railroad (GTX) lines in the Seoul metropolitan area during his term and push to expand GTX to the five major metropolitan regions nationwide.

Kim held a press conference at his campaign office in Daehwa Building, Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of April 21 to announce this plan. He explained, "I conceived the GTX during my tenure as governor of Gyeonggi Province," and stated that, if elected, he would swiftly promote the expansion of the GTX.

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, is holding a press conference to announce his transportation pledge, which includes a plan to expand the metropolitan express railroad (GTX) nationwide, at the election office in Daehwa Building, Yeouido, Seoul on the 21st. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim pledged to open the GTX-A, B, and C lines within his term and to begin construction of the D, E, and F lines during his presidency. He also promised active support for the extension of the GTX-A, B, and C lines, which are currently undergoing feasibility reviews, and to promote the Dongtan~Cheongju Airport metropolitan express railroad, which would connect the Seoul metropolitan area with the Chungcheong region.

In particular, Kim stated, "GTX has become a privilege of the Seoul metropolitan area, but I will now expand it to the five major metropolitan regions nationwide and create a 'national express railroad network.'"

The national express railroad network would include the 'Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) GTX,' connecting new airports, tourism, and industrial hubs; the 'Daejeon-Sejong-Chungcheong GTX,' directly linking the administrative capital and Cheongju Airport; the 'Daegu-Gyeongbuk GTX,' forming an east-west corridor connecting the inland and the East Sea; and the 'Gwangju-Jeonnam GTX,' which would upgrade the existing Honam Line to express service.

Kim emphasized, "If I am elected president, I will ensure that the nationwide GTX plan is included in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's 5th National Railroad Network Construction Plan," adding, "I will spare no policy support from the central government."

Kim also stated that the completion timeline for the GTX should be accelerated.

He said, "As governor of Gyeonggi Province in 2007, I first proposed the GTX, suggesting that the A, B, and C lines be started simultaneously in 2012 and completed by 2017,but at the time, the Democratic Party delayed the project, and as a result, only part of the A line is set to open in 2024."

He continued, "If my proposal had been implemented, the severe traffic congestion in the Seoul metropolitan area would not be as bad as it is now. By now, the A, B, and C lines would all have been completed."

Kim stated that the costs for the GTX expansion would be raised from the private sector. He explained, "During my time as governor, I negotiated with the top 10 construction companies to have them build the GTX at their own expense in exchange for several decades of fare collection rights, but the Ministry of Land opposed the idea. Because the public sector became involved, the project kept getting delayed. If the private sector had handled it, it would have already been completed."

Kim also argued that if the private sector, rather than the government, were to build the GTX, the completion speed could be much faster. He explained, "Civil servants tend to prioritize safety, accuracy, and public complaints over speed, which causes repeated delays," and added that various licensing procedures should be drastically reduced.

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, is holding a press conference to announce his transportation pledge, which includes a plan to expand the metropolitan express railroad (GTX) nationwide, at the election office in Daehwa Building, Yeouido, Seoul on the 21st. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim stated that the expansion of the GTX could also alleviate overcrowding in Seoul. He said, "Residents of Gyeonggi Province commute to Seoul for work. If we boldly reduce public transportation costs through a transfer system, people would not need to bring their own cars or pay for parking. There would be no reason to insist on living in Gangnam."

However, he pointed out that the platforms for the GTX are located too deep underground in residential areas such as apartment complexes, requiring passengers to transfer between multiple escalators to reach them, and said this issue must be resolved.

Kim stated, "It is said that it usually takes 20 years to complete a railroad, but that is far too long. We can provide safer, more affordable, and more convenient transportation for citizens. South Korea has the creativity and capability to impress the world."