Korea Rail Network Authority: "Chuncheon Station Area Development Project Passes Preliminary Feasibility Study"

The Chuncheon Station area development project has passed the preliminary feasibility study conducted by the Korea Development Institute (KDI).

According to the Korea Rail Network Authority on December 4, the project aims to develop residential, commercial, and accommodation facilities on a 420,000-square-meter site near Chuncheon Station, and to establish a multi-modal transfer center through a public bidding process for private sector operators. The project is being jointly promoted by the Korea Rail Network Authority, Chuncheon Urban Corporation, and Gangwon Development Corporation. The total project cost is 47.09 billion won.

Perspective view of the Chuncheon Station area development project. Provided by Korea Rail Network Authority

The Chuncheon Station area development project is significant in that it aims to establish a sustainable station-area development model in small and medium-sized cities in the provinces, where potential demand is relatively lower than in the Seoul metropolitan area, by formulating a comprehensive development plan-including the railway station site-in line with the opening of the Chuncheon-Sokcho East-West High-Speed Railway. This is expected to help prevent haphazard development.

Following the approval of the preliminary feasibility study, the Korea Rail Network Authority plans to go through administrative procedures such as designating the station-area development zone and approving the implementation plan, with the goal of starting construction in 2027. Completion is targeted for 2031.

Lee Seonghae, President of the Korea Rail Network Authority, stated, "The Chuncheon Station area development project will serve as a representative example of maximizing the economic ripple effect of railway construction and creating a new regional economic hub centered around a railway station. We will strive to successfully carry out the project, contribute to the government's national goal of 'balanced national development,' and lay the groundwork for expanding station-area development to small and medium-sized cities in the provinces in the future."