Development around Nopo Station in Northern Busan Gains Momentum
Long-Awaited Jeonggwan Line Urban Railway Project Accelerates
The government has approved the preliminary feasibility study for the metropolitan railway construction project connecting Busan, Yangsan, and Ulsan, marking the beginning of a new transportation axis that will bring the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region within a one-hour living zone.
On July 10, the Busan Metropolitan Government announced that the "Busan-Yangsan-Ulsan Metropolitan Railway Construction Project" had passed the preliminary feasibility study, following deliberation by the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee. The realization of a railway-based metropolitan transportation network linking Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam has now become a reality.
This approval follows the joint proposal submitted in June 2024 by Busan Mayor Park Heongjoon, Ulsan Mayor Kim Dookyum, and Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. In addition, the three regions actively explained the necessity of the project at the Fiscal Project Evaluation Subcommittee held in June 2025.
The metropolitan railway will run a total length of 47.6 kilometers (with 8.9 kilometers in the Busan section), connecting Nopo Station in Busan through Ungsang in Yangsan to KTX Ulsan Station, with 11 stations (including 2 in Busan) to be installed. The railway will operate 35 times per day using the AGT (Automated Guideway Transit) light rail system. At Nopo Station, passengers will be able to transfer to Busan Metro Line 1, the Yangsan Line, and the Jeonggwan Line, and the system will also connect to Ulsan Line 1, effectively integrating the entire southeastern region’s railway network.
The Busan Metropolitan Government expects this project to accelerate the formation of an integrated economic zone in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region, and, in connection with the comprehensive development of the Nopo Station area, to foster the underdeveloped northeastern area as a major metropolitan hub. The long-awaited Jeonggwan Line urban railway in Jeonggwan-eup, Gijang-gun, and the Wolpyeong District will also be linked to the metropolitan railway, which is expected to give momentum to the Jeonggwan Line project.
Going forward, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to begin feasibility studies and basic planning services within this year. After conducting surveys, environmental impact assessments, and ground investigations, the final route and station locations will be determined. Subsequently, the project will proceed with basic and detailed design phases before construction begins.
Mayor Park Heongjoon stated, "This metropolitan railway project will alleviate transportation inconveniences for residents in the Nopo Station area, Geumjeong, Gijang, and other northeastern districts, and will greatly improve commuting and school travel conditions for Busan citizens traveling to Ulsan and Yangsan." He added, "We will work closely with Ulsan City and Gyeongnam Province to ensure the project breaks ground and opens as soon as possible, mobilizing all available resources."
He also emphasized, "Building this railway network will enhance connectivity between industries, logistics, and residential areas, serving as a catalyst for balanced regional development. This will be a crucial turning point for the southern region, centered on Busan, to emerge as a new growth axis capable of competing with the Seoul metropolitan area."
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