Development of Western Suwon Ignored in Desk-Bound Administration

As the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transport announced the results of its private investment eligibility review for the double-track railroad extension project of the Bundang-Sinbundang Line, deciding to prioritize only Phase 1 (Seongnam Jeongja to Gwanggyo, 11.9 km) based on economic viability, fierce opposition has emerged from local politicians and residents.

In particular, this eligibility review was premised on private investment, and critics argue that the government is putting forth only justification and logic for prioritizing Phase 1, while not even considering plans for Phase 2, and have demanded re-verification of feasibility.

National Assembly members Shim Jae-deok (Jangan Ward), Kim Jin-pyo (Yeongtong Ward), and Lee Gi-woo (Gwonseon Ward, all of the Democratic New Party) received a closed briefing from the Ministry's metropolitan railroad team on August 27 at Rep. Shim's office. They were informed of the private investment eligibility review results for the Bundang-Sinbundang Line extension conducted by the Korea Development Institute (KDI) under the Planning and Budget Commission.

At the meeting, the Ministry reported that Phase 1 showed a benefit-cost ratio (B/C) of 1.131 to 1.221 (feasibility standard: 1 or above), while simultaneous construction including Phase 2 (Gwanggyo to Homaesil, 11.14 km) yielded 0.865 to 0.965.

In response, a spokesperson for Rep. Lee Gi-woo stated, "The B/C analysis from the eligibility review results reported on August 27 was premised only on private investment," and added, "Without any analysis considering government financial investment as a condition, it appears to be nothing but justification for prioritizing Phase 1 based solely on B/C figures."

A spokesperson for Rep. Kim Jin-pyo also said, "When the basic plan was announced in July of last year, the B/C for full-section simultaneous construction was also 1.01," and expressed doubt, "whether basic statistical data, such as population increases from Homaesil district development, were properly reflected in the review process."

A city official also stated, "The Bundang-Sinbundang Line, as a metropolitan railway project, must be prioritized over light rail to address transportation demand from Homaesil housing development and other projects," adding, "Prioritizing Phase 1 based on private investment eligibility review results means the Suwon area is being discriminated against and marginalized in metropolitan transportation policies."

Residents of Suwon are also strongly demanding integrated implementation, questioning whether the KDI's eligibility review results and the Ministry's Phase 1 priority policy ignore regional realities such as the development of western Suwon and are pursuing only desk-bound administration.
One resident said, "There are concerns about whether Homaesil housing development, redevelopment near Hwaseo-dong, and apartment construction in Ipbuk-dong were considered," emphasizing, "The Bundang-Sinbundang Line extension must open comprehensively for establishing traffic measures accordingly."

National Assembly members from the Suwon area plan to hold working-level meetings with Suwon City, Gyeonggi Province, and government ministries to work on alternative measures.