Hwaseong Mayor Jung Myunggeun: "Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway Is a Key Artery Supporting National Strategic Industries"

Hwaseong City Calls on Government to Make a Decision at Joint Press Conference at National Assembly
50.7-km Line to Connect Jamsil and Bongdam... B/C of 1.20 in Preliminary Feasibility Study by Four Cities
Mayor Jung Myunggeun: "We Must Reflect the Aspirations of 4.2 Million Residents in the National Railway Network Plan"

Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jung Myunggeun called for the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway to be included in the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan on October 13, saying, "It is more than just a convenience for transportation; it is a key artery that will support the nation's strategic industries."

Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jung Myeonggeun speaks at a joint press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 13th, calling for the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway to be included in the Fifth National Railway Network Construction Plan. Photo provided by Hwaseong City.

At a joint press conference held that day at the National Assembly Communication Hall, Mayor Jung said, "Now that the project's necessity and feasibility have been confirmed, we strongly urge the government and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to include it in the National Railway Network Construction Plan, reflecting the wishes of 4.2 million residents of southern Gyeonggi Province."

The press conference, organized by Mayor Jung and National Assembly member Kwon Chil-seung, was attended by Kim Hyunsoo, First Deputy Mayor of Suwon Special City, and National Assembly members Yeom Taeyoung and Boo Seung-chan, among others. Attendees read a joint statement and called on the government to conduct an active review and make a decision.

Mayor Jung said, "Southern Gyeonggi, including Hwaseong, Suwon, Yongin, and Seongnam, is a key economic region driving the future industries of the Republic of Korea," adding, "Expanding the regional transportation network is essential for sustained growth and residents' convenience."

The Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway is a 50.7-kilometer regional railway project connecting Jamsil Sports Complex in Seoul with Bongdam in Hwaseong via Pangyo in Seongnam, Suji in Yongin, and Gwanggyo in Suwon. A preliminary feasibility study jointly conducted by the four cities of Hwaseong, Suwon, Yongin, and Seongnam found a benefit-cost ratio (B/C) of 1.20.

The local governments say the line is needed to address population growth and rising transportation demand in southern Gyeonggi, where high-tech industries such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) are concentrated. They expect it to improve travel convenience and railway network connectivity in the southern Seoul metropolitan area by linking with major rail lines such as GTX-C and the Shinbundang Line.

In May, the four cities submitted to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport more than 44,000 signatures collected through a citywide petition campaign, among other efforts to call for the railway's inclusion in the National Railway Network Construction Plan.

Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jung Myeonggeun speaks at a joint press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Center on the 13th, calling for the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway to be included in the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan. From left: Suwon Special City First Deputy Mayor Kim Hyunsoo, National Assembly member Yeom Taeyoung, and Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jung Myeonggeun. Courtesy of Hwaseong City.

Along with the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway, Hwaseong City is seeking to have three other new railway lines included in the National Railway Network Construction Plan: the Gyeonggi Southern East-West Transversal Line, an extension of the Sinhaeansan Line to Songsan Green City, and an extension of the Shinbundang Line to Ujeong.

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