Mayor Lee Hyunjae Meets Vice Governor Kim Daesoon to Propose Wirye-Sinsa Line Hanam Extension and Line 9/3 Extensions

On September 25, Lee Hyunjae, mayor of Hanam, visited the Northern Office of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government in Uijeongbu and met with Kim Daesoon, Vice Governor for Administrative Affairs 2 of Gyeonggi Province. During the meeting, he strongly urged for the swift implementation of key metropolitan railway projects directly linked to residents' transportation convenience, including the extension of the Wirye-Sinsa Line to Hanam, the early opening of the Gangdong-Hanam-Namyangju Line (Line 9 extension), and the timely opening of the Songpa-Hanam Line (Line 3 extension). He also emphasized the need to install additional station entrances in response to resident demands.

Lee Hyunjae, mayor of Hanam (right), visited the northern office of Gyeonggi Provincial Government in Uijeongbu on the 25th and met with Kim Daesoon, the second deputy governor of Gyeonggi Province, to explain current issues including the extension of the Wirye-Sinsa Line to Hanam. Provided by Hanam City

This visit was arranged to clearly communicate to Gyeonggi Province, as the project operator, the numerous pending issues: whether the extension of the Wirye-Sinsa Line to Hanam will be included in the 5th Metropolitan Transportation Implementation Plan (currently under review), concerns over delays in the Gangdong-Hanam-Namyangju Line due to a sole bidder for Section 2, and the upcoming selection of a project operator for the Songpa-Hanam Line. The goal was to seek solutions to these issues.

First, Mayor Lee emphasized that the extension of the Wirye-Sinsa Line to Hanam must be included in the 5th Metropolitan Transportation Implementation Plan.

Mayor Lee stated, "Although Wirye New Town was planned as a single living zone, Hanam residents, who paid the same transportation contribution, are experiencing reverse discrimination by not receiving railway services." He urged for the plan to be reflected as soon as possible.

Regarding the Gangdong-Hanam-Namyangju Line (Line 9 extension), he proposed resolving the sole bidder issue for Section 2 (Misa-Dasan) by promptly starting construction through alternative project methods such as turnkey contracts (design and build bidding). He also suggested opening the Gangil-Misa section first if possible. Additionally, he requested the extension of the entrance at Station 944, a long-standing demand from apartment residents near Gusanseongji.

In relation to the Songpa-Hanam Line (Line 3 extension), he stressed the importance of opening the line before residents move into Gyosan New Town. In particular, he proposed installing the transfer passage at Station 104 in the shortest possible route for the convenience of residents in the old downtown, as well as extending the entrance at Station 101, reflecting the opinions of the Jungangno Intersection Promotion Committee and apartment residents.

Mayor Lee stated, "Since approximately 60% of Hanam's population commutes to Seoul, expanding the metropolitan railway network is the top priority for realizing transportation welfare for our citizens. I request that the proposals made today be actively reflected in Gyeonggi Province's project implementation as residents hope."

In response, Kim Daesoon, Vice Governor for Administrative Affairs 2, said, "We will thoroughly review the metropolitan railway issues raised by Hanam City and will make every effort to ensure that Hanam's position, including the extension of the Wirye-Sinsa Line, is fully reflected."