Changwon Special City Mobilizes All Efforts for Inclusion of 'CTX-Jinhae Line' in National Plan ... Laying the Changwon-Style Logistics Main Artery

Kang Ki-yoon, Mayor of Changwon, and Vice Mayor Jeong Howon

Meeting Successively with Lawmakers and Military Authorities to Forge Comprehensive Cooperation

Changwon Special City in South Gyeongsang Province has officially launched full-fledged efforts to lay the foundation for a Changwon-style logistics main artery, drawing attention to the outcome of this initiative.

The city is pursuing a comprehensive campaign involving both the National Assembly and military authorities to establish the 'CTX-Jinhae Line'—also known as the 'Jinhae New Port Line'—a massive logistics revolution expected to transform the spatial structure and economic landscape of Changwon.

Kang Ki-yoon, Mayor of Changwon, visited Yoo Ui-dong, Chairman of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee.
Photo by Changwon City

'CTX' stands for Changwon Tri-port eXpress, and among its routes, the 'CTX-Jinhae Line' aims to serve as the fastest connection linking three major logistics hubs: Jinhae New Port, Gadeokdo New Airport, and the national rail network.

◆ Visits to the National Assembly’s Land and Transport Committee and National Defense Committee ... Requests for Policy Support

Mayor Kang Ki-yoon recently met with Woo Idong, Chairman of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, to personally advocate for the necessity of the CTX-Jinhae Line in light of the Jinhae New Port expansion. Subsequently, Second Vice Mayor Jeong Howon visited national lawmakers from the National Defense Committee—including Seong Iljong, Han Kiho, Lim Jongdeuk, and Min Hongchul—to request policy support.

The city has been proactively persuading the legislature by emphasizing that replacing the aging military-only 'Sabi Line,' which was established 70 years ago, with the advanced CTX-Jinhae Line rail infrastructure is the optimal solution. This approach would resolve issues such as the deterioration and urban disruption caused by the old railway and would significantly enhance the safety and security of transporting national strategic assets while protecting citizen safety.

◆ Collaboration with Military Authorities ... Consensus on the Need to Replace the Sabi Line

Practical cooperation with the military is also gaining momentum. On August 14, Second Vice Mayor Jeong Howon visited the Republic of Korea Military Transportation Command in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province—a key nerve center for transporting strategic materials—to propose the construction of a next-generation transport network that goes beyond the replacement of the Sabi Line.

The Sabi Line was built in the 1960s as an industrial freight railway and currently runs through the old downtown of Jinhae, serving as a military railway for the transport of munitions. Due to outdated infrastructure, the risk of safety accidents and obstruction to urban development has persisted for decades as a longstanding regional issue.

Both parties agreed that the deterioration of the Sabi Line not only causes resident complaints and inconvenience but also presents concerns regarding the secure transportation of national strategic assets. As a result, the military command has pledged active cooperation to ensure the smooth advancement of the CTX-Jinhae Line by securing a modernized and secure logistics network.

◆ On-Site Inspections and Working Meetings ... Discussing Practical Implementation Plans

On August 26, officials inspected the Sabi Line rail tracks and the Jinhae port operations unit under the Military Transportation Command to assess the onsite situation. Vice Mayor Jeong closely examined the inconveniences faced by residents and, in discussions with military personnel, agreed to maintain ongoing cooperation so that the CTX-Jinhae Line will be equipped, from its design phase, with advanced facilities capable of transporting heavy munitions and large freight.

Ki-yoon Kang, Mayor of Changwon Special City, stated, "Through visits to the National Assembly and the military, we have once again confirmed that the CTX-Jinhae Line is vital national infrastructure that strengthens national competitiveness and achieves synergy between civilian life and security." He further expressed his firm commitment: "The 5th Changwon city administration will make every effort to ensure the CTX-Jinhae Line is included in the 5th National Rail Network Construction Plan, providing citizens with a safe daily environment and the country with powerful logistics competitiveness."

It is hoped that Changwon City's efforts to create a logistics main artery tailored to the aspirations of its citizens will yield tangible policy results and earn public acclaim.

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