"Capture Our Neighborhood's Rail Projects": Seoul Districts Launch Bids for Inclusion in the Fifth National Rail Network Plan

[Financial News] With the announcement of the Fifth National Rail Network Construction Plan, which will lay out the framework for the national rail network over the next 10 years, approaching, Seoul's autonomous districts have launched an all-out campaign to expand the metropolitan rail network. District heads are personally trying to persuade the government to include long-sought local rail projects in the national plan, such as having KTX services departing from Suseo—the former Super Rapid Train (SRT)—stop within their districts and routing new Great Train eXpress (GTX) lines through their areas. Once included in the plan, projects can move quickly through subsequent administrative procedures, including preliminary feasibility studies, and become eligible for substantial national funding.
According to Seoul's autonomous districts on the 13th, one of the most active is Nowon District. Its plan is to expand transportation links in northeastern Seoul by having KTX trains departing from Suseo stop at Kwangwoon University Station if the service is extended to Uijeongbu. The district is particularly citing increased transportation demand following the development of the Kwangwoon University Station area as a key reason for the KTX stop.
Nowon District Head Seo Joon-oh has also personally begun lobbying the government. Last month, Seo met Kim Yun-duk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of South Korea, at the National Assembly Members' Office Building after the meeting was arranged by National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, and requested that KTX trains stop at Kwangwoon University Station. Nowon District plans to continue consultations with MOLIT and other relevant agencies while persistently calling for expanded metropolitan transportation links, including a KTX stop at Kwangwoon University Station.
Neighboring Dobong District is also calling for KTX trains to stop at Chang-dong Station if the service is extended to Uijeongbu. The district has conveyed its position to the government, emphasizing the need for a KTX stop in light of changing conditions around Chang-dong Station, including the start of construction on GTX-C and the opening of Seoul Arena, which has a capacity of 28,000 people.
Autonomous districts whose areas are included in the government's plans for the second phase of GTX are also remaining vigilant. For the government's announcement to lead to an actual project, the route must be reflected in the National Rail Network Construction Plan.
Gangdong District is a leading example. In January 2024, MOLIT announced its second-phase GTX projects through its "Three Major Innovation Strategies in the Transportation Sector," including a proposal for GTX-D to pass through Gangdong District. Even after the government announcement, the district has continued urging the government and relevant agencies to ensure that the route is ultimately included in the Fifth National Rail Network Construction Plan.
Gangseo District is also watching closely to see whether the government's GTX-D proposal will be reflected in the Fifth National Rail Network Construction Plan and whether the route and stations will be specified, following its inclusion in the proposal.
Jungnang District is seeking a GTX-E stop at Sinnae Station. During his term as district head in the eighth popularly elected administration, Jungnang District Head Ryu Gyeong-gi met with the land minister and called for confirmation of a GTX-E stop at Sinnae Station. He entered the campaign early by allocating 220 million won for an independent feasibility study on securing the stop. More recently, Seoul Metropolitan Council member Park Seung-jin identified a GTX-E stop at Sinnae Station as a key transportation issue during a joint policy meeting with Seoul and the Jungnang District Office in July.
Local governments in southwestern Seoul have also formed a united front. In March, Geumcheon District, together with Gwanak District, Gwangmyeong City, and Siheung City, met with MOLIT Minister Kim Yun-duk and delivered a joint petition calling for the Sincheon–Sillim metropolitan railway—which would connect Sincheon Station in Siheung with Sillim Station in Gwanak via Doksan-dong in Geumcheon—to be included in the Fifth National Rail Network Construction Plan and advanced at an early date.
The districts are working so hard to attract rail projects because inclusion in the National Rail Network Construction Plan is the first gateway to advancing them. The plan is the highest-level statutory plan for national rail construction, established on a 10-year cycle. In particular, metropolitan railway projects proceed to subsequent steps, such as preliminary feasibility studies, after being included in the plan.
A Seoul Metropolitan Government official explained, "During MOLIT's earlier process of collecting local government opinions for the preparation of the Fifth National Rail Network Construction Plan, we compiled the districts' requests related to railways." The official added, "Seoul then conducted its own evaluation and review before recommending some routes to the government."
[email protected] Seong Chorong Reporter