[Interview] Jung Won-oh, Seongdong-gu Mayor: "GTX-C Line Wangsimni Station Must Be Established"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] "Investing just 2 minutes can make it more convenient for over 100 million people annually to travel across the Seoul metropolitan area."

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong District, recently explained the necessity and feasibility of establishing Wangsimni Station on the GTX-C line. Mayor Jung stated, "Wangsimni Station is undoubtedly a major metropolitan transportation hub in the Seoul metropolitan area," adding, "During commuting hours, it functions as a transfer station connecting key points in Seoul, with a total annual usage of approximately 109 million people."

Considering that the purpose of the metropolitan express railway is to improve accessibility between the Seoul metropolitan area and downtown Seoul business districts, Wangsimni Station must be established to facilitate transfers for commuters. However, adding Wangsimni Station would cause a delay of about 2 to 4 minutes in travel time.

At the 'GTX-C Line Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment Public Hearing' hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held on the 16th at Seongdong District Office, residents strongly demanded the establishment of Wangsimni Station. Regarding this, Mayor Jung said, "As was the case at the residents' briefing held on the 19th of last month, the public hearing confirmed the residents' enthusiasm for establishing Wangsimni Station," and added, "The establishment of Wangsimni Station is a crucial issue that affects the transportation benefits of all residents in the metropolitan area."

The GTX-C line was originally planned to pass underground through the residential area of Seongsu-dong, but after the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport decided to change the route, demands from Seongdong residents for the establishment of Wangsimni Station surged. In response, Seongdong District quickly formed a task force team and an executive committee. They also conducted a residents' signature campaign and sought policy advice from railway experts. Notably, within just 12 days of starting the signature campaign urging the establishment of Wangsimni Station, over 150,000 Seongdong residents, accounting for more than 50% of the district's population, participated.

Going forward, Seongdong District plans to conduct its own feasibility study to support the claim for establishing Wangsimni Station on the GTX-C line. Mayor Jung of Seongdong District stated, "This is a natural choice that enhances convenience and efficiency not only for Seongdong residents but also for Seoul citizens and metropolitan area residents," and added, "If Wangsimni Station is realized, it will not only align with the original purpose of GTX but also play an important role in the medium- to long-term development of Seongdong District."

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