Gimpo Mayor Kim Byungsoo Requests Approval of Preliminary Feasibility Study for Seoul Line 5 Extension to Gimpo and Geomdan

Congestion Inspected on Gimpo Gold Line with Prime Minister During Morning Rush Hour on the 27th
Emphasis on Prompt Implementation of Fundamental Solutions

Gimpo City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Byungsoo) inspected congestion levels on the 27th at Sahu Station on the Gimpo Gold Line together with Prime Minister Kim Minseok, who visited the site. National Assembly members Kim Jooyoung, Park Sanghyuk, and Mo Kyungjong, as well as the chairperson of the Metropolitan Transport Commission, also participated.

Kim Byungsoo, Mayor of Gimpo City, is shaking hands with Kim Minseok, Prime Minister, who visited Sauce Station on the Gimpo Gold Line on the 27th. Provided by the Gimpo City Office

This inspection was conducted despite ongoing congestion issues on trains, even after implementing measures such as increasing the number of Gimpo Gold Line trains and other congestion relief initiatives. In particular, it coincided with the time when the National Assembly petition supporting the extension of Seoul Subway Line 5 to Gimpo surpassed 50,000 signatures and was referred to the relevant standing committee.

At Sahu Station, the Prime Minister was briefed on the current operation and congestion status of the Gimpo Gold Line, as well as updates on previously implemented congestion mitigation and safety measures. He also checked the progress on the extension of Line 5. Mayor Kim Byungsoo of Gimpo City requested, "It is urgent to pass the preliminary feasibility study for the Line 5 extension as a fundamental solution."

During the meeting, authorities reviewed the progress of several initiatives to improve congestion on the Gimpo Gold Line, including: the introduction of new 70(A·B) bus routes, the addition of intercity buses, the opening of a dedicated bus lane along the roadside between Gaehwa and Gimpo Airport, the addition of six more Gimpo Gold Line trainsets, shortened train intervals, and the expansion of safety personnel deployment.

Additional measures to further alleviate congestion were also discussed in depth. Ongoing proposals include: reviewing the introduction of a dedicated bus lane on Olympic-daero and a plan to add five more trainsets to the line.

Gimpo City (Mayor Kim Byungsoo) is inspecting congestion alongside Prime Minister Kim Minseok, who visited the Gimpo Goldline Sau Station on the 27th. Provided by Gimpo City

Participants at the site agreed that these measures alone have limitations and reaffirmed that the extension of Seoul Subway Line 5 to Gimpo and Geomdan is the fundamental solution. As the National Assembly petition surpassed 50,000 signatures and has been brought to the legislative discussion table, there is growing demand to accelerate the project's implementation.

Prime Minister Kim Minseok stated, "I fully understand the need to expand rail infrastructure, such as the metropolitan railway network in the western region, the extension of Incheon Line 2, and the extension of Seoul Subway Line 5 to Gimpo." He emphasized, "Nevertheless, we cannot overlook the inconvenience citizens must endure until the railway network is completed."

He further declared, "From short-term measures to immediately relieve congestion to long-term railway network expansion projects, the Prime Minister's Office will directly oversee these efforts to ensure that the inconveniences faced by Gimpo citizens are genuinely resolved."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.