Lee Jae-myung: "We must accelerate the unified railway era spanning the Eurasian continent"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Noh-hun] Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung expressed hope to advance the unified railway era on the occasion of "Railway Day."

Governor Lee stated on SNS on the 28th, "Just as South and North Korean leaders declared at Panmunjom in April 2018, 'Let us connect the severed lifeblood of our nation and advance the future of common prosperity and independent reunification,' the railways of the past, which were symbols of colonialism and exploitation, war and division, are now drawing attention as a catalyst for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and as future transportation means to address the climate crisis. On Railway Day, I hope our railways can soon usher in the unified railway era spanning the Eurasian continent." He continued, "Let us all work together to boldly eliminate unnecessary redundant investment and inefficiency, so that all citizens nationwide can safely and conveniently use high-speed rail services without any neglected regions. I urge the government to swiftly implement measures it can undertake immediately."

The following is the full text of Governor Lee Jae-myung's SNS post.

<Advancing the Unified Railway Era Spanning the Eurasian Continent>
Today is the 127th Railway Day. It was newly designated in 2018 to commemorate June 28, 1894, the day when Korea's first railway organization, the Railway Bureau of the Ministry of Works of the Provisional Government, was established. Previously, September 18, the opening day of the Gyeongin Railway built by Japan, was Railway Day. Through the history surrounding Railway Day alone, we can feel our country's turbulent modern and contemporary history.
Just as South and North Korean leaders declared at Panmunjom in April 2018, "Let us connect the severed lifeblood of our nation and advance the future of common prosperity and independent reunification," the railways of the past, which were symbols of colonialism and exploitation, war and division, are now drawing attention as a catalyst for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and as future transportation means to address the climate crisis.
The Republic of Korea is the world's fifth high-speed rail operator and a strong nation with high-speed rail vehicle manufacturing technology. If we maximize the geopolitical advantages of our railways as a gateway to Eurasia, the railway industry is expected to become a new growth engine for the Korean Peninsula leading a logistics revolution.
However, it is regrettable that the inter-Korean railway connection project has stalled for several years. On Railway Day, I hope our railways can soon usher in the unified railway era spanning the Eurasian continent. With 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions coming from the transportation sector, the transition to an eco-friendly transportation system is not a choice but a necessity, and ensuring universal mobility rights without discrimination based on region or economic circumstances is the essence of railway public service.
Let us all work together to boldly eliminate unnecessary redundant investment and inefficiency, so that all citizens nationwide can safely and conveniently use high-speed rail services without any neglected regions. I urge the government to swiftly implement measures it can undertake immediately.
I express gratitude to all railroad officials and workers who have maintained 127 years of railways, and I wish for the safety of railroad workers sweating and working nationwide at this very moment.