Restoration of Gangneung-Jejin 'Donghae Bukbu Line' Railway after 53 Years

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Finalizes Basic Project Plan... Construction Until 2027
Total Project Cost 2.7406 Trillion Won, 111.7km Route

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] After 53 years, the restoration of the railway section leading to Jejin, where the northernmost railway of the Korean Peninsula was laid in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, has been decided.

Gangwon Province announced on the 23rd that "the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has finalized and announced the basic plan for the construction project of the Donghae Bukbu Line (Gangneung~Jejin) railway."

The Donghae Bukbu Line (Gangneung~Jejin) railway project was recognized as a South-North exchange cooperation project last April, exempting it from the preliminary feasibility study. It officially began with a commemorative ceremony for the promotion of the Donghae Bukbu Line held in April this year, marking the 2nd anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration.

According to the province, the railway section has been disconnected since the route was abolished in 1967, and the local community has continuously requested the prompt promotion of this project, reflecting their long wait.

The announced basic plan includes a total project cost of 2.7406 trillion won, with plans to construct the railway together with the Chuncheon~Sokcho line by 2027.

The plan includes a total route length of 111.7 km from Namgangneung Signal Station to Jejin Station, with six stations (expansion of Sokcho Station, renovation of Jejin Station, and new stations at Gangneung, Jumunjin, Yangyang, and Ganseong), and two signal stations (38th Parallel and Hwajinpo) incorporated.

During the basic plan establishment process, resident briefings were held in each city and county along the route, and verification of the survey route was conducted for the KDI’s review of the project plan’s appropriateness.

With the basic plan finalized, the province plans to continuously consult with the project authorities, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Rail Network Authority, to prioritize simultaneous design and construction sections for early groundbreaking around the end of 2021.

Additionally, to prepare for procedures such as environmental impact assessments required during the design phase, the plan is to secure expert group consultations, collect preliminary survey data, and obtain justification materials to ensure that the opening within the planned period proceeds without disruption.

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