Korail Daegu Headquarters-Gyeongbuk Headquarters 'Integration' ... Gyeongbuk Provincial Committee Welcomes Installation in Yeongju

"Sharp Decline in Train Demand Regrettable, but Establishing Integrated Headquarters in Yeongju City Aims for Regional Balanced Development"

A KTX train with a 'wrapping advertisement' celebrating the birthday of Jungkook, a member of the world-renowned idol group BTS, is stopped at Seoul Station on the afternoon of September 1.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] The Daesitja Gyeongbuk Pan-Provincial Promotion Committee (private co-chairmen Jo Jeong-mun, Hong Soon-im, An Se-geun) issued a statement on the 7th welcoming the decision to integrate the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Headquarters into the Gyeongbuk Headquarters located in Yeongju City, following the organizational restructuring of Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL).

In the statement, the committee said, "Although it is regrettable that the Daegu Headquarters and Gyeongbuk Headquarters were merged into one due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and the sharp decline in train demand, establishing the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Headquarters in Yeongju City, a key railway hub, is a correct decision from the perspective of regional balanced development."

Earlier, on the 5th, Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) reorganized its structure by reducing one-third of the regional headquarters nationwide and optimizing field organizations to overcome the management crisis.

In Gyeongbuk, 12 lines totaling 725.2 km (17.5% of the national total), including one high-speed rail line of 109.8 km and 11 conventional rail lines of 615.4 km, are in operation. Additionally, 19 metropolitan railway networks such as the double-track electrification of the Jungang Line, the Southern Inland Railway, the Donghae Line electrification, and the East-West Transversal Railway are either under construction or being promoted in the region.

Yeongju City was home to the Yeongju Regional Railroad Office, one of the five major regional offices overseeing railway operations and construction in the Yeongnam region during the Railroad Administration era (1974?2004). Over the past half-century, the railway has shared joys and sorrows with Yeongju and led its development. The committee explained that Yeongju still serves as a railway hub where the Jungang Line (Cheongnyangni?Yeongju?Gyeongju), Gyeongbuk Line (Gimcheon?Yeongju), and Yeongdong Line (Yeongju?Gangneung) intersect.

The Promotion Committee stated, "Considering the historical significance, symbolism, and balanced development associated with the advancement of Korea Railroad, the decision to establish the 'Daegu-Gyeongbuk Headquarters' in Yeongju is a wise judgment," adding, "We, the 3 million residents of the province, offer our full support so that the headquarters can settle and develop as a central institution for regional development by enhancing productivity and competitiveness to provide stable railway services."

Meanwhile, the Daesitja Gyeongbuk Pan-Provincial Promotion Committee, formed on May 25, consists of 380 members across three subcommittees, encompassing figures from various fields such as the economy, academia, media, and social organizations. It participates in resolving provincial issues such as overcoming the COVID-19 crisis, attracting the integrated new airport, and administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk through diverse methods.

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