Induk-won to Jangan-gu Office to Dongtan Line 4 Extension Project Method Controversy: Government "Urban Transit" vs. Public Opinion "Metropolitan Railway"

The method of implementing the Induk-won~Jangan-gu Office~Dongtan Line 4 extension project, which has emerged as the biggest issue in the 18th general election for Jangan-gu, is becoming increasingly contentious over whether it should be classified as a 'metropolitan railway' or 'urban transit system.'

The core of the controversy is the burden of local government funding depending on the project implementation method.

The dispute began when the government, including the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs and the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, announced on the 31st of last month that it would proceed with this as an urban transit system.

If the project proceeds as an urban transit system, the jurisdictions in the relevant section must bear 40% of construction costs. For this reason, Uiwang City, which lies within the planned section of the Induk-won~Dongtan railway, is resisting, arguing that the urban transit method is practically difficult to implement given its low fiscal independence ratio.

Furthermore, the 'Metropolitan Traffic Master Plan' announced by the Ministry of Construction and Transportation (now Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs) on November 21 of last year includes this project in the category of 'additional review projects' to prepare for development of surrounding areas and changes in transportation conditions.

An official from Suwon City's light rail project stated, "Additional review projects means they have somewhat lower priority compared to other railroad projects scheduled for priority implementation."

Faced with this situation, general election candidates from the region are calling for full national funding or implementation through the metropolitan railway method (local government burden of 25%).

Park Jong-hee, a candidate (Grand National Party) who has made the Induk-won~Dongtan railway project his top campaign pledge, notes that it was made into a pledge after suggesting it to then-presidential candidate Lee Myung-bak during the 17th presidential election. He is pledging rapid construction in cooperation with candidates including An Sang-soo from the Gwacheon and Uiwang regions.

Lee Chan-yeol, a candidate from the United Democratic Party, also points out that the Induk-won-Byeongjeom double-track railway project got off to a wrong start and emphasizes that it must be pursued as a metropolitan railway project.

Meanwhile, residents centering on apartments near Jangan-gu Office intersection are strongly demanding early implementation of the Induk-won~Dongtan double-track railway project.

Recently, residents have hung large banners on the wall of a building at Hanil Town, adjacent to National Route 1 and Gyeongsu Road, with messages such as 'Welcome confirmation of 1 billion won budget for double-track railway' and 'Promptly implement presidential election pledge for railway project,' urging swift implementation.