A Unified Wish of 7.6 Million Residents in Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang...
The Beginning of National Balanced Development
Directors from Three Regions Visit the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Together
Ulsan, Busan, and South Gyeongsang Province are joining forces with a unified purpose to ensure that the preliminary feasibility study for the Ulsan-Yangsan-Busan Metropolitan Railroad, which will connect the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region as one, passes successfully.
On May 12 at 2 p.m., Ulsan City announced that Kim Seokmyeong, Director of the Transportation Bureau of Ulsan, Lim Kyungmo, Director of Urban Innovation and Balance of Busan, and Park Sungjun, Director of Transportation and Construction of South Gyeongsang Province, will visit the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport together to formally request the approval of the preliminary feasibility study for the Ulsan-Yangsan-Busan Metropolitan Railroad, which is currently under review.
The Ulsan-Yangsan-Busan Metropolitan Railroad was selected in 2021 as a leading metropolitan railroad project outside the Seoul metropolitan area.
Notably, the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Mega-Region Economic Alliance selected the construction of the Ulsan-Yangsan-Busan Metropolitan Railroad as the first presidential campaign pledge to be proposed, taking into account the early presidential election scheduled for June. This project is also ranked as a top priority in the lists of campaign pledges proposed by each metropolitan government.
The railroad will serve as a key axis for the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region, directly connecting four urban rail lines?Ulsan Line 1, Yangsan Line, Jeonggwan Line, and Busan Line 1?as well as linking to Ulsan Station on the Gyeongbu High-Speed Line. This is expected to greatly enhance convenience not only for travel within the metropolitan area but also for long-distance travel between regions.
Accordingly, the directors from the three cities and provinces stated during their visit, "To address the depopulation of local regions caused by the concentration of resources in the Seoul metropolitan area and the hollowing out of non-metropolitan areas, it is essential to expand a fast and convenient metropolitan transportation network centered on railroads." They strongly urged the government to approve the preliminary feasibility study for the Ulsan-Yangsan-Busan Metropolitan Railroad.
This metropolitan railroad is included in the Fourth National Railroad Network Construction Plan. The project will connect KTX Ulsan Station, pass through Yangsan Ungsang, and reach Busan Nopo Station. The preliminary feasibility study began in June 2023, and the results are expected to be announced in June this year.
Kim Seokmyeong, Director of the Transportation Bureau, stated, "In order for the metropolitan railroad, which will serve as the main artery for the region, to open in time for the opening of the new Gadeokdo International Airport?a catalyst for major change in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region?it is absolutely necessary for this preliminary feasibility study to be approved." He added, "For genuine balanced national development, we will not only push for the approval of the preliminary feasibility study but will also propose the early construction and rapid advancement of the project."
Another metropolitan railroad in the region, the Southeast Region Circular Metropolitan Railroad, will connect KTX Ulsan Station through Yangsan to Gimhae. The preliminary feasibility study for this line began in December last year, and Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang Province have agreed to work together to ensure smooth progress of the project.
Route maps of the Busan-Yangsan-Ulsan Metropolitan Railroad and the Southeast Region Circular Metropolitan Railroad. Provided by Ulsan City
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