Prime Minister Kim Min-seok visited Gimpo Gold Line's Sau Station on the 27th to personally inspect train congestion conditions. He was joined by Gimpo Mayor Kim Byung-soo, National Assembly members Kim Joo-young, Park Sang-hyuk, and Mo Kyung-jong, as well as the chairman of the Greater Seoul Metropolitan Area Transportation Committee.
The inspection comes as congestion persists despite measures including additional train services, and coincides with a National Assembly public petition for Seoul Subway Line 5 extension to Gimpo surpassing 50,000 signatures and being referred to the relevant standing committee.
The Prime Minister received briefings on Gimpo Gold Line operations and congestion status at Sau Station. He also reviewed congestion relief measures, safety protocols, and progress on the Line 5 extension project.
Previously implemented measures reported included: establishment of new Route 70 (A·B) bus services, deployment of additional express buses, opening of curbside bus-only lanes between Gaehwa and Gimpo Airport, six additional Gimpo Gold Line train sets, reduced train intervals, and expanded deployment of safety personnel.
Additional congestion relief measures under discussion were also reported, including consideration of bus-only lanes on Olympic Expressway and procurement of five more train sets.
Gimpo Mayor Kim Byung-soo urged that "passing the preliminary feasibility study for Line 5 is urgently needed as a fundamental solution." Attendees agreed that short-term measures have limitations and reaffirmed that extending Seoul Subway Line 5 to Gimpo and Geomdan represents the fundamental solution.
Prime Minister Kim stated, "I fully appreciate the need for expanded rail infrastructure including the western metropolitan rail network, Incheon Line 2 extension, and Seoul Line 5 extension to Gimpo." He emphasized, "The situation where citizens must endure inconvenience until the rail network is completed cannot be overlooked."
He added, "From short-term measures for immediate congestion relief to long-term rail network expansion, the Prime Minister's Office will directly oversee efforts to substantially resolve the inconveniences faced by Gimpo residents."
Public Petition Surpasses 50,000 Signatures, National Assembly Deliberation Begins
Meanwhile, as the National Assembly public petition calling for Seoul Subway Line 5 extension to Gimpo and Geomdan exceeded 50,000 signatures, attention is also focusing on whether the long-delayed rapid preliminary feasibility study results will be announced.
According to the National Assembly petition system, as of 10 a.m. on the 23rd, the petition titled "Request for National Assembly Review and Promotion of Seoul Subway Line 5 Extension Project to Resolve Metropolitan Northwest Regional Transportation Imbalance" had garnered 51,275 participants.
Petitions receiving over 50,000 signatures are referred to the relevant standing committee for formal review procedures. Accordingly, the Seoul Line 5 extension to Gimpo and Geomdan has reached the National Assembly deliberation stage based on citizen demand. Whether momentum builds for the project following this Prime Minister's on-site inspection remains to be seen.