Seven local governments in the Seoul metropolitan area called on the central government to promptly announce a comprehensive railroad underground conversion plan and include the Gyeongbu Line in the project.
According to Yongsan District and other sources on Wednesday, the Gyeongbu Line Underground Conversion Promotion Council issued a joint statement at Seoul Station the previous day. The council formally requested the government to include the approximately 32-kilometer section from Seoul Station to Dangjeong Station in the underground conversion plan.
About 60 officials from seven local governments attended the event, including Council Chairman Park Hee-young (Yongsan District Mayor), Yeongdeungpo District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon, Geumcheon District Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon, Anyang Mayor Choi Dae-ho, Gunpo Mayor Ha Eun-ho, Dongjak District Deputy Mayor Sa Chang-hun, and Guro District Deputy Mayor Choi Won-seok.
Attendees expressed deep regret over the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's delay in announcing the comprehensive railroad underground conversion plan. They insisted the Gyeongbu Line section must be included in the project. The ministry had stated it would announce the plan by the end of 2025, but no specific schedule or details have been disclosed.
The council emphasized that placing the Seoul Station-Dangjeong Station section underground would create large-scale idle space in the metropolitan area. This would lead to expanded housing supply, urban space reorganization, new industry development, and regional economic revitalization. An estimated 2.19 million square meters of surface land—equivalent to one-third of Seoul's area—could be developed into new green spaces and development zones.
"The Gyeongbu Line underground conversion is the minimum right of residents who have long endured noise, severance, and danger, and an urgent demand for restoring their quality of life," said Council Chairman Park Hee-young. "The seven local governments strongly urge the prompt announcement of the comprehensive railroad underground conversion plan and the inclusion of the Gyeongbu Line section."
