Seoul Metropolitan Council Speaker Lim Man-kyun on the 23rd called for the swift advancement of urban railway projects underway in Seoul, including the Nangok and Seobu lines.
After hearing about the progress of each urban railway project from Yeo Jang-kwon, head of the Seoul Transportation Office, at 10:30 a.m. that morning, Speaker Lim said light rail is essential infrastructure for residents in areas underserved by public transportation, and urged the city to actively work toward passing preliminary feasibility studies and other steps.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, among the urban railway projects currently underway, the Myeonmok Line (Cheongnyangni-Sinnae) and the Wirye-Sinsa Line (Wirye New Town-Sinsa Station) are in the basic planning stage, while the Nangok Line (Boramae Park Station-Nanhyang) is under preliminary feasibility study. The Seobu Line (Seoul National University Station-Saejeol Station) is being pursued through preparations to recruit a preferred bidder for a private investment project, along with a parallel review that includes a fiscal project.
In addition, the Gangbuk Cross Line (Mokdong Station-Cheongnyangni Station) and the Seonam Line (Magongnaru Station-Gasan Digital Complex Station; Seobu Truck Terminal-Dangsan Station) are being pursued as part of the Third Urban Railway Network Development Plan.
In particular, the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the 10th established the "Third Urban Railway Network Development Plan," aimed at "building a 10-minute urban railway network accessible from anywhere in front of one's home," and announced that it would usher in an era of transportation transformation.
Speaker Lim said, "Urban railways are key infrastructure for the balanced development of Seoul," adding, "Setting aside political interests, the city should actively work to expand the infrastructure that guarantees citizens' right to mobility."
To this end, he stressed, "The Seoul Metropolitan Council will actively cooperate to form a special committee related to urban railways and to approve the 'Third Urban Railway Network Development Plan,' which is before the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, in the second half of the year."
Meanwhile, Speaker Lim plans to attend the "Third Seoul Metropolitan Urban Railway Network Development Plan Citizens' Public Hearing," to be held on the 29th at the Welfare Building (4th-floor auditorium) of Seoul City Hall, where he will hear the opinions of experts and citizens.
