Gyeonggi Province, Suwon, Yongin, Seongnam, Hwaseong Cities Join Forces for Seoul Line 3 Extension Project

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hoon] Gyeonggi Province is taking steps with the cities of Suwon, Yongin, Seongnam, and Hwaseong to develop an optimal plan for the Seoul Line 3 extension and Gyeonggi South Metropolitan Railway projects so that 4 million residents in southern Gyeonggi can reduce their commute time to and from Seoul by one hour.

The Seoul Line 3 extension is expected to gain momentum through mutual cooperation transcending political parties and regional boundaries.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon signed a business agreement on the 21st at the Gyeonggi Province Government Situation Room with Mayor Lee Jae-jun of Suwon Special Metropolitan City, Mayor Lee Sang-il of Yongin Special Metropolitan City, Mayor Shin Sang-jin of Seongnam, and Mayor Jung Myung-geun of Hwaseong, agreeing to jointly respond to develop an efficient alternative for the Seoul Line 3 extension and Gyeonggi South Metropolitan Railway.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon said, "Looking at the population of these four cities, it exceeds twice that of a typical metropolitan city. I am delighted that we have united our efforts on Line 3 subway and Gyeonggi South Metropolitan Railway, which are important matters in the transportation plans for these four cities," and added, "I have promised to give Gyeonggi Province residents one hour back each day. I believe today's agreement will play an important role in keeping that promise."

He further stated, "By uniting our efforts, we can address this in the near future, and I will take the lead to unite our intentions beyond political parties and regional boundaries so that not only 4 million residents but all 14 million Gyeonggi Province residents can benefit and the province can develop. I will take the lead in discussing with you to find solutions and in making earnest efforts to propose to the central government. Please join together with mutual cooperation and co-governance to strengthen Gyeonggi Province."

Mayor Lee Jae-jun of Suwon Special Metropolitan City said, "Metropolitan railways take a long time to commence, but if Gyeonggi Province and the four local governments reach a good consensus and begin practical research and discussions, I believe commencement and completion are possible in the near future."

Mayor Lee Sang-il of Yongin Special Metropolitan City stated, "There are many remaining tasks ahead, and if we carefully consider the intentions of gathering here today at this agreement ceremony and proceed accordingly, I believe good results will come."

Mayor Shin Sang-jin of Seongnam said, "I hope we can unite firmly to ensure that the Line 3 extension is included in the 5th National Railroad Construction Plan. If the Line 3 extension is realized, it will be able to solve the advanced industry sector in Seongnam and the Pangyo traffic problem."

Mayor Jung Myung-geun of Hwaseong said, "Currently, Hwaseong has only one subway station, Byeongjeom Station, so the inconvenience of citizens commuting to Seoul or adjacent cities is considerable. I hope this can be promoted in a timely manner, and Hwaseong will do its part to the maximum extent possible."

According to the agreement, Gyeonggi Province and the four cities will ▲jointly respond to a series of administrative procedures according to relevant laws and regulations to successfully promote the Seoul Line 3 extension and Gyeonggi South Metropolitan Railway projects ▲cooperate mutually to ensure fair and balanced projects by establishing business plans that maximize citizen input ▲make efforts to develop optimal route plans for the railway project and reflect them in the 5th National Railroad Construction Plan and other higher-level plans ▲establish a working-level task force for efficient promotion of cooperative matters.

The Seoul Line 3 extension and Gyeonggi South Metropolitan Railway mentioned in the agreement refer to railway projects connecting Seoul with eastern and southern Gyeonggi Province, including the cities of Seongnam, Yongin, Suwon, and Hwaseong.

The Seoul Line 3 extension involves extending the current line from Daehwa Station in Goyang to Ogeum Station in Songpa-gu, Seoul, through Seongnam and into Yongin, Suwon, and Hwaseong areas. The province and four cities plan to quickly advance a preliminary feasibility study so that the agreement's objectives can be achieved early on and to ensure that the Line 3 extension project is reflected in the 5th National Railroad Construction Plan. Additionally, they have agreed to continue discussing with Seoul regarding pending matters such as the relocation of the Seocho vehicle base.

The province estimates that if the Seoul Line 3 extension is realized, the Seoul commute for the 4 million residents living in Seongnam, Yongin, Suwon, and Hwaseong will be reduced by approximately one hour.

The Gyeonggi South Metropolitan Railway is an alternative route to be promoted in case the Seoul Line 3 extension becomes difficult. It is a metropolitan railway connecting southern Seoul, Seongnam, Yongin, Suwon, and Hwaseong. Specific plans have not yet been finalized.

Previously, the province signed a mutual cooperation agreement with Suwon, Yongin, and Seongnam in February 2020 regarding the Seoul Line 3 extension and commenced a joint project study in August that year. In July 2021, it requested Seoul to discuss a plan for dispersing the relocation of the Seocho vehicle base. Additionally, in the "Gyeonggi Province Railroad Basic Plan and Urban Railroad Network Construction Plan Research Project" which was commenced in September 2021 and is ongoing, the province is reviewing the feasibility of the "Seoul Line 3 Extension and Gyeonggi South Metropolitan Railway" projects proposed by municipal governments.

Meanwhile, the province gathered opinions from labor and management in the bus industry last year and decided to promote the quasi-public management system for all city bus routes throughout the province. The province is also making efforts to solve transportation issues by increasing express bus services, extending late-night operations, and issuing a basic concept research project for GTX Plus.