Gunpo Mayor Han Dae-hee emphasized the necessity of including the extension of the Shinbundang Line in the fifth national railway network plan during a meeting on November 10 with Hong Ji-seon, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, alongside lawmaker Lee Hak-young.
During the meeting, Mayor Han requested government support and decisive action on several key issues facing Gunpo, including the extension of the Shinbundang Line, the closure of the Gunpo Logistics Terminal, and improvements to the redevelopment regulations for Sanbon New Town.
Han presented six critical issues for the future development of Gunpo, urging the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to actively incorporate these into government policy.
The most pressing issue raised by Mayor Han was the inclusion of the Shinbundang Line extension in the national railway construction plan. The extension, which will connect Gwanggyo, Buk-su-won, Uiwang, Gunpo, and Ansan, spans 14.54 kilometers and is estimated to cost approximately 1.6 trillion won. It is considered essential for enhancing the transportation network in southwestern Gyeonggi Province and addressing the traffic demands of the three new cities of Uiwang, Gunpo, and Ansan.
Mayor Han pointed out that the government's principle of 'transportation before occupancy' is crucial, noting that the anticipated influx of around 100,000 residents to the three new cities cannot be managed solely through the expansion of existing road networks.
He highlighted that Gunpo has endured traffic burdens from five land development projects and the establishment of the Gunpo Logistics Terminal over the past 30 years, yet effective regional transportation measures remain insufficient.
"The extension of the Shinbundang Line is a key alternative to improve regional transportation convenience for the 1.7 million residents of southwestern Gyeonggi Province and to resolve the traffic issues of the three new cities," Han stated, reiterating the need for its inclusion in the national railway plan.
Additionally, the closure of the Gunpo Logistics Terminal and its return to the community were also significant requests. Mayor Han expressed concerns that the approximately 700,000 square meters of the terminal, now situated in a residential area due to surrounding land development, has led to traffic congestion, road damage, emissions, and noise, causing discomfort for residents.
He noted that while the annual local tax revenue from the terminal is about 5 billion won, the socio-economic costs associated with truck traffic amount to approximately 85 billion won each year.
In response, Mayor Han proposed several measures: formalizing the principle of complete closure of the logistics functions by 2042, involving Gunpo in facility management and operations after the first phase ends in 2028, returning operational profits to the community, and establishing a permanent consultation body between the Ministry of Land and Gunpo.
He also urged improvements to regulations to stimulate the redevelopment of Sanbon New Town, stating that the designated special maintenance area is insufficient compared to the demand for redevelopment in the aging planned city. He requested more flexible allowances for special maintenance area designations within a four-year timeframe in the basic maintenance plan to facilitate housing supply and smooth project execution.
Other requests included incorporating comprehensive plans for the undergrounding of the Gyeongbu and Ansan railway lines, securing national funding for the integrated development of GTX-C's Geumjeong Station, and reviewing restoration projects for damaged public housing areas in Uiwang, Gunpo, and Ansan.
Mayor Han concluded by stating, "These proposed issues are urgent matters that will redraw the future map of Gunpo and significantly enhance the quality of life for our citizens," expressing hope for proactive consideration and positive decisions from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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