100 Citizens from Yongin Visit Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to Urge Adoption of Gyeonggang Line Extension Amendment

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Yongin City announced on the 16th that 100 citizens held a rally in front of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport building in Sejong City, urging the adoption of an amended Gyeonggang Line extension proposal in the 4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan.

The rally was attended by 100 citizens including members of the Township Chief Council and Residents' Autonomous Committee of Namsa-eup in Cheoin-gu, the Hansup City Development Committee, and residents from Pogok-eup and Yurim-dong.

Yi Han-sung, chairman of the Namsa-eup Township Chief Council, stated, "Transportation infrastructure such as railroads must be established first to enable planned urban development," and appealed, "The Gyeonggang Line extension amendment must be reflected to improve transportation conditions for residents in southeastern Gyeonggi, an area without railroads."

Mayor Baek Kun-ki of Yongin also visited the rally site in Sejong City to encourage citizens and listen to their opinions.

At this occasion, Mayor Baek said, "I hope the aspirations of citizens who visited Sejong City despite the hot weather to urge adoption of the Gyeonggang Line extension amendment are well conveyed," and added, "Since the Gyeonggang Line amendment is an alternative that can achieve 800 billion won in budget savings and dramatically improve traffic in southeastern Gyeonggi, I will make every effort to ensure it is finally reflected."

Meanwhile, the city, after consulting with Gwangju and Anseong cities in May, submitted an amended proposal that shortens the line by 17 km from the initially proposed route, connecting Samdong in Gwangju to Namsa in Yongin and enabling transfer to the 'Dongtan~Anseong~Cheongju Airport Line,' to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport through Gyeonggi Province.

Subsequently, Mayor Baek met with Rep. Jin Sun-mi, chairman of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, in May, and in June met with Vice Minister Hwang Sung-gyu of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Vice Minister Ahn Do-geol of the Ministry of Economy and Finance in turn, emphasizing the necessity of reflecting the Gyeonggang Line extension and requesting active support.