Chu Miae: "Homes and Factories Are Growing, but Railways Remain Stagnant"... Urges Inclusion of 40 Gyeonggi Projects

Gyeonggi Province Calls for Inclusion in 5th National Rail Network Plan
Proposes 3 High-Speed, 8 Conventional and 29 Metropolitan Rail Projects
Aims to Narrow Transportation Gap in Northern Gyeonggi and Ease Congestion in New Towns
Calls for More Than 100 Trillion Won in Nationwide Investment in New Projects

Gyeonggi Province Governor Chu Mi-ae called on the government to include the 40 railway projects proposed by the province in the 5th National Rail Network Development Plan (2026–2035), which is currently being drawn up, and to increase investment in new projects to more than 100 trillion won.

Choo Mi-ae, governor of Gyeonggi Province, is asking the government to include 40 railway projects proposed by the province in the national plan at the 5th Public Feedback Event on the National Railway Network Construction Plan, held at the Korea Specialty Contractors Association Building in Seoul on the 13th. Photo courtesy of Gyeonggi Province.

Chu made the remarks on the 13th at the “5th Public Consultation on the National Rail Network Development Plan,” hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport at the Korea Specialty Contractors Association building in Seoul. Among the heads of metropolitan and provincial governments, Chu and Incheon Mayor Park Chan-dae attended the event.

In her remarks, Chu said, “Gyeonggi Province’s population, housing and number of factories are growing, but the expansion of its railway network has not kept pace. In many areas, even years after residents move into apartment complexes, no transportation measures have been put in place.”

She continued, “With 7 million residents commuting every day, railways are not merely a means of transportation; they are an issue directly tied to people’s livelihoods. Expanding Gyeonggi Province’s railway network will also enhance national competitiveness, so I ask that the 40 projects we proposed be included in the plan.”

The projects Gyeonggi Province has asked the government to include comprise 40 routes in total: three high-speed railways, eight conventional railways and 29 metropolitan railways.

The province also argued that investment in new projects should increase to more than 100 trillion won under the 5th Plan, up from about 60 trillion won under the 4th Plan (2021–2030). The aim is not to spend the entire budget immediately, but to secure in advance the legal basis for projects to be carried out over the next 10 years.

Gyeonggi Province cited narrowing the transportation gap in northern Gyeonggi, putting transportation measures in place ahead of large-scale housing developments such as third-generation new towns, and strengthening the competitiveness of national strategic industries such as semiconductors as key reasons for expanding the railway network. The province said it must guarantee mobility for residents of northern Gyeonggi, who have long borne various restrictions, including those related to the protection of military facilities. It also said the network should connect semiconductor production hubs in Yongin, Pyeongtaek, Icheon and Hwaseong with the Pangyo research and development (R&D) complex, supporting the movement of workers and goods.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae poses for a commemorative photo with attendees, raising their fists, at a public consultation on the 5th National Rail Network Construction Plan held at the Korea Specialty Contractors Association building in Seoul on the 13th. Provided by Gyeonggi Province.

The 5th National Rail Network Development Plan is a statutory plan that sets the direction of national railway investment for the next 10 years. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is currently conducting policy feasibility analyses of about 300 projects proposed by local governments nationwide, with a total value of 600 trillion won. The ministry plans to finalize and announce the plan after drawing up a draft, holding a public hearing, consulting with relevant agencies and obtaining a review by the Railway Industry Committee.

A Gyeonggi Province official said, “We will continue consultations with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Planning and Budget, the National Assembly, and cities and counties in the province to ensure that as many of our proposed projects as possible are included in the national plan.”

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