Namchang Station in Ulju Confirmed as KTX-Eum Stop... Significantly Improved Access to Seoul Metropolitan Area

Ulju County in Ulsan announced on December 15 that Namchang Station has been officially designated as a stop for the KTX-Eum train.

Last December, Ulju County began efforts to have Namchang Station included as a stop for the KTX-Eum line between Cheongnyangni and Bujeon, but it was not initially selected as a stop. Subsequently, as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport prepared for additional train operations by establishing signaling systems and manufacturing new vehicles, Ulju County continued its campaign for a year, with participation from the public, government, and businesses, ultimately succeeding in securing the stop at Namchang Station.

With this decision, the number of KTX-Eum trains stopping at Namchang Station will increase from three to nine times per direction. The stop will be made once in the upbound direction and once in the downbound direction, with the upbound train stopping at 10:35 a.m. and the downbound train at 7:57 p.m. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to review possible adjustments to the number of stops at each station in the future based on passenger demand.

With direct travel now possible from Namchang Station to Seoul Station, companies in the Onsan National Industrial Complex are expected to benefit from significantly improved access to the Seoul metropolitan area. As a result, improvements in corporate work efficiency and productivity are also anticipated.

Positive effects are also expected for tourism and the revitalization of local commercial districts. Strengthened connections to major tourist destinations such as Namchang Market, Onggi Village, Ganjeolgot, and Jinha Beach are likely to lead to an increase in visitors.

Improved transportation accessibility is also expected to accelerate urban development in southern Ulsan. By the end of next year, about 4,500 households, accommodating approximately 14,000 people, are scheduled to move into new apartment complexes in the southern area.

Ulju County has carried out a variety of promotional activities centered around the 'KTX-Eum Namchang Station Stop Range Citizens Promotion Committee,' including a pilgrimage on foot from Cheongnyangni to Namchang Station, a 108-bow prayer event, a countywide signature campaign, and a concert to support the station stop. In October, a joint declaration urging the stop was issued together with major local companies and delivered to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Park Soondong, chairperson of the KTX-Eum Namchang Station Stop Range Citizens Promotion Committee, stated, "This is the result of the wishes of 230,000 residents of Ulju County being realized," adding, "It will greatly help improve the transportation environment needed for the expansion of the Onsan National Industrial Complex and the development of new towns in the southern region."

Lee Soongeol, Governor of Ulju County, said, "This achievement was made possible through the united efforts of the public, government, and businesses," and expressed hope that "the KTX-Eum stop at Namchang Station will become a new growth engine leading to regional and balanced development in Ulju County."