South Korean regional railway expansion proposals

Local governments and residents in the South Korean metropolitan area are advocating for various railway expansions to address growing transportation demands and urban development.

In Gwangmyeong, over 15,000 residents participated in a signature campaign to support the construction of the Sincheon-Haan-Sillim Line. This proposed 16.4km regional railway would connect Siheung to Seoul’s Doksan and Sillim areas, aiming to improve accessibility to southwestern Seoul and support the Gwangmyeong Siheung Techno Valley. City officials intend to petition the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to include the line in the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan.

Simultaneously, Gimpo City and Seoul’s Yangcheon-gu have issued a joint proposal to extend the Sinjeong branch of Seoul Subway Line 2 to Gimpo. The plan, which seeks inclusion in the 5th Metropolitan Transport Implementation Plan, involves extending the line from Kachisan Station through Sinwol Junction and relocating the Sinjeong depot. Officials state these projects are necessary to resolve transportation blind spots and alleviate commuting congestion in the western metropolitan region.