Yongin Secures Government Approval for Two New Rail Lines

Yongin Mayor Lee Sang-il announced on January 11 that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has approved the inclusion of two new rail projects—the Dongbaek-Sinbong Line and the Yongin Line extension—in the Second Gyeonggi Province Urban Railway Network Plan.

The mayor expressed gratitude to city officials and residents who supported efforts to secure government approval for the projects.

The Dongbaek-Sinbong Line is a 14.7-kilometer route connecting Sinbong-dong in Suji District to major transfer stations including Seongbok Station (Shinbundang Line), Guseong Station (GTX-A and Suin-Bundang Line), and Dongbaek Station (Yongin Light Rail).

"The Dongbaek-Sinbong Line project, long hoped for by residents of Suji and Giheung districts, has cleared one of its most important hurdles," Lee said. "This railway will pass through Sinbong-dong and Seongbok-dong before connecting to Platform City, where semiconductor materials, parts and equipment companies and artificial intelligence firms will be located alongside hotel and convention facilities."

Lee added that the line extending from Guseong to the Dongbaek area "will become a crucial transportation option for the growing populations of Suji and Giheung districts."

The mayor noted that the Dongbaek-Sinbong Line will connect with the Shinbundang Line, GTX-A, Suin-Bundang Line, and Yongin Light Rail. He said the project will also positively impact the proposed Southern Gyeonggi Metropolitan Railway, which would connect Seoul's Jamsil Sports Complex Station to Gwanggyo and Bongdam via Suseo, Pangyo, Sinbong-dong, and Seongbok-dong.

"We will concentrate all of the city's administrative capabilities to continue demonstrating the feasibility of the Dongbaek-Sinbong Line and to clear the remaining hurdles," Lee said.

The mayor explained that once completed, the Dongbaek-Sinbong Line will enable travel from Dongbaek Station to Cheoin District. If the Central Region Metropolitan Express Railway project connecting Seoul's Jamsil to Cheongju Airport via Gwangju, Yongin, Anseong, and Jincheon is realized, passengers could transfer at Jungang Market Station to conveniently reach Jamsil or Cheongju Airport.

The Yongin Line extension is a 6.8-kilometer project connecting Giheung Station to Gwanggyo Central Station via Heungdeok.

"Extending the Yongin Line, which is connected to the Suin-Bundang Line, and linking it with the Shinbundang Line and Dongtan-Indeokwon Line will improve transportation convenience for residents of Yongin, Suwon, Gwacheon, and Hwaseong," Lee said. "We will deploy all of the city's capabilities to realize this project."

The mayor also noted that the Bundang Line extension from Giheung Station to Osan University Station via Dongtan, included in the Fourth National Railway Network Plan, would create synergies with the Yongin Line extension.

Yongin has worked to include both routes in the Second Gyeonggi Province Urban Railway Network Plan. In December 2023, a public hearing confirmed the inclusion of the two lines proposed by the city. Following negotiations between Gyeonggi Province and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport since July last year, the ministry is scheduled to officially announce the final plan on January 12, 2025.

The city expects both lines to significantly benefit semiconductor industry workers' commutes and residents' daily travel. Yongin plans to review follow-up administrative procedures including preliminary feasibility study applications.

"As both the Dongbaek-Sinbong Line and the Yongin Line extension are long-cherished projects for our residents, our joint efforts with citizens have opened the path to realization," Lee said. "We will continue working together with residents to advance these two rail lines."