Mayor Lee Sang-il of Yongin Meets Vice Minister Baek Won-guk to Request Support for Three Railway Projects in Yongin

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Choi Ki-ho] Mayor Lee Sang-il of Yongin Special Metropolitan City met with Vice Minister Baek Won-guk of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the afternoon of the 12th at the Sejong Government Complex to request the ministry's support for expanding railway infrastructure in Yongin.

Mayor Lee submitted materials to Vice Minister Baek regarding the ‘5th National Railroad Network Construction Plan’ to be established next year, stating that the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway project (Seoul Olympic Gymnastics Arena Station to Suseo Station to Pangyo in Seongnam to Shinbong and Seongbok-dong in Yongin to Gwanggyo in Suwon to Bongdam in Hwaseong, 50.7km, estimated total project cost of 5.2 trillion won) and the Gyeonggang Line extension project (Gwangju Station in Gyeonggi to Idong and Namsa in Yongin, 37.97km, estimated total project cost of 2.3154 trillion won) must be reflected for the success of the mega semiconductor project currently underway in Yongin.

Mayor Lee also asked for support for the rapid promotion of the Bundang Line extension project (Giheung Station to Osan University Station, 16.9km, estimated total project cost of 1.6015 trillion won), which was confirmed and announced as a new project in the ‘4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan’ in 2021.

Mayor Lee delivered to Vice Minister Baek a petition document with signatures from approximately 21,000 citizens of Cheoin-gu, Yongin, supporting the Gyeonggang Line extension. The petition was submitted by Lee Eun-ho, representative of the Cheoin-gu Citizens Coalition, and other members after obtaining signatures from Cheoin-gu residents, and they requested that the mayor deliver it directly to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

In the materials handed to Vice Minister Baek, Mayor Lee stated: "The ‘Gyeonggang Line extension,’ which runs through the ‘Yongin Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex’ that will become the center of Korea's semiconductor industry, is an essential project for fostering the semiconductor industry and improving the living conditions of semiconductor professionals." He added: "Since the joint project conducted with Gwangju City in Gyeonggi Province resulted in a benefit-cost (BC) ratio of 0.92, we ask the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to pay great attention so that it can be reflected in the 5th National Railroad Network Construction Plan."

Mayor Lee stated: "The ‘Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway,’ being jointly promoted by four cities—Yongin, Suwon, Seongnam, and Hwaseong—can improve transportation convenience for 4.2 million citizens of these four cities. A joint project study by the four cities confirmed a BC ratio of 1.2, demonstrating high economic viability. It is an essential project for strengthening national competitiveness through the expansion of the semiconductor ecosystem widely formed in Yongin, Seongnam, Hwaseong, and Suwon. We ask that you ensure this project is reflected in the National Railroad Network Construction Plan."

Mayor Lee added: "The Bundang Line extension will be a key axis connecting the city's major economic hubs including the ‘Yongin Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex’ and ‘Platform City.’ Since it has already been confirmed as a new project in the ‘4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan,’ the project must be accelerated. Public expectations for these three railway projects—the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway, Gyeonggang Line extension, and Bundang Line extension—currently underway in Yongin are very high, and these projects are directly linked to the success of Yongin's mega semiconductor project. We hope the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will conduct serious review for the nation's future."

In response to Mayor Lee's request, Vice Minister Baek replied: "I am well aware of the contents and will review them carefully."