Yongin Mayor Lee Sang-il: "Let's Realize the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway, a Long-held Aspiration of Suji-gu"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Choi Ki-ho] Yongin Traceless City Mayor Lee Sang-il emphasized, "Let's realize the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway, a long-held aspiration of Suji-gu."

On the morning of the 6th, the mayor participated in the 'Walking Rally to Urge Early Construction of Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway' held in the Seongbok-dong area of Suji-gu, hosted by the Suji Alliance, and said, "The Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway is a long-cherished project for Suji-gu residents, so we will do our best to have it included in the 5th National Railway Master Plan expected to be established in early next year," adding, "We expect good results to come out."

The mayor stated, "For the construction of the 50.7km Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway to connect Seoul's Jamsil Sports Complex Station, Seoseoul Station, Pangyo in Seongnam, Shinbong and Seongbok-dong in Yongin, Gwanggyo in Suwon, and Bongdam in Hwaseong, the four cities of Yongin, Suwon, Seongnam, and Hwaseong jointly commissioned a study that resulted in a cost-benefit (B/C) ratio of 1.2 for the project, which is very high—such good economic feasibility is rare among railway projects," and added, "The Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway, a replacement line for the failed extension of Subway Line 3 during the 7th civil government term, has been implemented under the leadership of Yongin during the 8th civil government term, and I am grateful that citizens, centered around the Suji Alliance, have gathered their strength like this."

The mayor said, "When this railway is opened, it will be able to resolve the chronic traffic congestion on the Yongseong Expressway that becomes intolerably jammed during commuting hours," and added, "We will create Shinbong Station and Seongbok Station in Yongin so citizens can use alternative transportation."

The mayor stated, "Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon, who suggested we discuss and promote the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway together, placed this project below the top 1-3 priority of Gyeonggi Province's metropolitan railway lines last year, so I criticized Governor Kim several times from November last year to February this year," and added, "The four city mayors are jointly promoting this, and with Suji-gu residents encouraging us with sincere hearts like this, I am confident it will certainly be realized, and I will work diligently."

The mayor stated, "When the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway is constructed, the effect of constructing the Dongbaek-Shinbong Line light rail connecting Shinbong through Guseong Station to Dongbaek will also increase," and added, "We are looking forward to approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for the construction of the Dongbaek-Shinbong Line, and when that happens, it will also contribute to the construction of the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway."

The mayor said, "When the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway and the Dongbaek-Shinbong Line are constructed, and the extension of the Bundang Line from Giheung Station to Osan University Station is realized, residents will be able to move from Shinbong-dong to Guseong Station, take the Bundang Line to Osan University Station, and from Dongbaek, they will be able to go to Cheoingn-gu by using the existing light rail."

Furthermore, "When the 135km Jungyuk Metropolitan Rapid Railway (JTX) connecting Seoul's Jamsil to Cheongju Airport opens, a railway will pass through Cheongn-gu, Yongin from north to south, and if connected to the Yongin Central Market Station of the light rail, passengers will be able to go to Cheongju Airport and further to Osong Station to take KTX and SRT," and added, "Yongin will become a metropolitan city with a population of 1.5 million in the future, so we are making many efforts to build such railway networks."

On this day, the mayor walked for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes from Seongbok High School to Seongbok Library in Suji-gu with around 150 people including Suji Alliance officials and residents, demonstrating the will to realize the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway, conversing with residents, and responding to every request for commemorative photos.