Seongnam City Requests Sugwang Line Route Revision in Detailed Design: "Resident Housing Rights Take Top Priority"

Seongnam City Submits Letter to Ministry of Land and National Railroad Corporation
Requesting Route Change for Sugwang Line Near Sandeulmaeul Apartments

Seongnam City in Gyeonggi Province announced on January 20 that on the 16th, it delivered a letter to Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Lee Seonghae, President of the National Railroad Corporation, requesting a route change for the Suseo-Gwangju double-track railway (hereinafter referred to as the Sugwang Line) in the section adjacent to Sandeulmaeul Apartments in Yeosu-dong.

Letter sent by Seongnam City to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 16th requesting a route change for Sugwang Line Sandeulmaeul Injeon. Provided by Seongnam City

In the letter, Seongnam City stated, "We recognize that the Sugwang Line is a key project to improve transportation convenience in the southeastern part of the Seoul metropolitan area and are actively cooperating to ensure its smooth progress." However, the city emphasized, "There are deep concerns among local residents regarding the section of the detailed design route that passes close to Sandeulmaeul Apartments, and a thorough review is urgently needed."

In the letter, Seongnam City pointed out several issues with the currently planned route: environmental impacts such as noise and vibration, long-term deterioration of the living environment, intensification of community conflict, and resulting social costs. The city particularly appealed that, given the area's dense concentration of large apartment complexes, routing the line adjacent to the residential complex would inevitably infringe upon residents' rights to housing.

Accordingly, Seongnam City proposed adjustments to the tunnel depth, rerouting to bypass residential areas, and changing the route to one that would not cause harm to residents.

In response to the news of Seongnam City's request to change the Sugwang Line route adjacent to Sandeulmaeul, the Sandeulmaeul Sugwang Line Emergency Response Committee stated, "We sincerely hope that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the National Railroad Corporation will actively accept this proposal."

Shin Sangjin, Mayor of Seongnam, said, "This request is not intended to delay or oppose the project, but is a responsible proposal from a local government that hopes this national project will move forward stably and in harmony with the local community." He also expressed hope that close communication with the corporation will lead to the development of the optimal route that can achieve coexistence with local residents.