Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: "KTX Sejong Station Lacks Economic Feasibility... New Station Construction Not Possible"

Sejong City "Promoting Project in Consultation with Ministry of Land"
Immediate Opposition Expressed Through Ministry of Land's Explanation Materials

Lee Chun-hee, Mayor of Sejong City (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] Although Sejong City announced plans to promote the KTX Sejong Station project, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport opposed it, stating that "it is judged to lack economic feasibility, and under current conditions, the establishment of a new station is not possible."

On the 9th, the Ministry released explanatory materials titled "KTX Sejong Station Establishment, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Difficult Position," stating, "According to the preliminary feasibility study conducted in June 2017 for KTX Sejong Station, it was reviewed as lacking economic feasibility, and under current conditions, the establishment of a new station is not possible."

According to the Ministry, the cost-benefit analysis (B/C) result from the Korea Rail Network Authority's service at that time was 0.59.

Earlier, Sejong City announced in a briefing that the preliminary feasibility study for KTX Sejong Station showed economic feasibility (B/C 0.86), and that it plans to promote the project in consultation with Chungbuk Province and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Lee Chun-hee, Mayor of Sejong City, said, "As the population of Sejong City increases, the B/C result for KTX Sejong Station came out to 0.86," adding, "We will proceed with follow-up procedures such as a preliminary feasibility study for the establishment of Sejong Station."

However, the Ministry pointed out, "KTX Sejong Station requires comprehensive consideration of high-speed rail demand, station safety, and operational efficiency," stating, "The newly established Sejong Station, planned to have high-speed trains stop on the main line without a passing track, is very vulnerable in terms of safety and may cause disruptions to train operations."

They added, "Since conflicts between regions are expected due to decreased demand at adjacent stations, it is judged that in-depth social discussions on the establishment of Sejong Station are necessary."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.