Submission of Petition Signed by 113,000 Citizens
Direct Operation of Gyeongchun Line and Suin-Bundang Line
Namyangju and Dongdaemun District Urge Central Government for Support
Namyangju City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Joo Kwangdeok) visited Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on September 3 and 4, respectively, to submit a policy proposal urging the 'Direct Operation of the Gyeongchun Line and Suin-Bundang Line' and the 'Establishment of a Single-Track Subway on the Bundang Line (Wangsimni to Cheongnyangni),' along with a petition signed by approximately 113,000 citizens.
Namyangju City visited Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 3rd and 4th, respectively, to submit a policy proposal urging the 'Direct Operation of Gyeongchun Line and Suin-Bundang Line' and the 'Establishment of a Single-Track Subway on the Bundang Line (Wangsimni to Cheongnyangni),' along with a petition signed by approximately 113,000 citizens. The photo shows the 'Gyeongchun Line-Suin Bundang Line Business Agreement Ceremony' held in October last year. Provided by Namyangju City
Following the business agreement signed with Dongdaemun District in October last year for the direct operation of the Gyeongchun Line and Suin-Bundang Line, the city once again visited the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport together with Dongdaemun District to make a joint proposal.
The two local governments emphasized the necessity of a project that would directly connect the northeastern and southwestern regions of the Seoul metropolitan area, and requested active review and support from the central government.
Currently, the Gyeongchun Line and Suin-Bundang Line allow for some transfers at Cheongnyangni Station, but due to factors such as transfer waiting times, train intervals, and frequency of service, actual convenience for passengers is significantly lacking.
In response, the city proposed a plan to directly connect some Gyeongchun Line trains to the Suin-Bundang Line, allowing passengers to travel directly to Wangsimni, Gangnam, and Suwon without transferring at Cheongnyangni.
Additionally, the city suggested constructing a single-track subway over the 1-kilometer section between Wangsimni and Cheongnyangni to increase line capacity, as well as increasing the number of trains operating on the Bundang Line to maximize the impact of the direct operation.
This project has already been included in the 4th National Rail Network Construction Plan and, in conjunction with the Gyeongchun Line direct connection project, is expected to become a key foundation linking the northeastern and southwestern parts of the Seoul metropolitan area.
The city stressed that the submission of the policy proposal and petition demonstrates strong public consensus among citizens.
Since the signing of the business agreement in October last year, the petition campaign has gathered the participation of 113,191 Namyangju citizens as of the end of July, with approximately 74,000 residents of Dongdaemun District also joining in support.
Mayor Joo Kwangdeok stated, "It is true that railway projects require enormous budgets and long periods of time, but the direct connection between the Gyeongchun Line and Suin-Bundang Line is a project that can generate significant benefits at relatively low cost. It will not only enhance the accessibility and convenience of Seoul for 740,000 Namyangju citizens, but also serve as a catalyst for balanced development across Gangwon Province, northeastern and southern metropolitan areas, Seoul, and Incheon."
He added, "This project is more about the will to pursue it than technical challenges. We will continue the citizen petition campaign and do our utmost until the project is realized."
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