[Opinion] New High-Speed Rail Line Connecting Mungyeong, Do-cheong New Town, Integrated New Airport, and Daegu in Gyeongbuk Must Be Included

□ Kwon Ki-chang, Dean of the Graduate School of Korean Cultural Industry at Andong University

Gyeongsangbuk-do has been making every effort to establish Andong City, the administrative center of the northern region, as the central city of the Korean Peninsula's mid-region economic zone to rival the metropolitan area after relocating the provincial government office there.

For a city to develop sustainably and with a future-oriented approach, the establishment of a high-speed transportation network is essential. Although the northern region of Gyeongbuk has a larger area than Gyeonggi-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Chungcheongnam-do, it has been the most underdeveloped in terms of transportation infrastructure.

As a result, Andong, the location of the provincial government office, is geographically closer to Seoul than Daejeon, but people perceive Daejeon as a nearby place to go for lunch, whereas Andong feels emotionally distant due to the lack of transportation infrastructure, causing people to overlook it.

However, recently, the double-tracking, straightening, and electrification of the Jungang Line have created an opportunity for a new leap forward. Moreover, with the relocation of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated Airport to Gunwi and Uiseong, previously remote areas are becoming central hubs.

To maximize the synergy effect of such transportation infrastructure, a new line connecting Mungyeong (Jeomchon) - Provincial Government New Town - Andong - Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated Airport - Daegu must be included in the '4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan.'

If this happens, it will overcome the limitations of the Jungang Line, which can currently only be accessed from Cheongnyangni, and connect directly to Suseo in Gangnam, Seoul, further enhancing accessibility to the metropolitan area. Additionally, it will strengthen accessibility between the Provincial Government New Town, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated Airport, and Daegu, establishing a foundation for mutual growth between Daegu and Gyeongbuk.

It is said that the region with the best-preserved environment will have the greatest competitiveness for future generations. The currently underdeveloped northern Gyeongbuk region is precisely such a place. To make these resources competitive, the construction of transportation networks is essential.

Most transportation networks are now nearing completion. Therefore, connecting these networks is the top priority. There is no place where the Provincial Government New Town and the airport are not connected to the railway transportation network. For the success of regional development infrastructure, which has involved significant investment, building transportation networks is even more important.

Since the construction of such transportation infrastructure is directly linked to the central government's balanced national development policy, related local governments, regional political circles, and civic groups must unite and raise a single voice regardless of political party.

When such activities are supported locally, the central government and members of the National Assembly, who are discussing the Jungbu Inland High-Speed Railway line from Mungyeong (Jeomchon) - Provincial Government New Town - Andong - Integrated Airport - Daegu, will gain momentum, and the line can be reflected in the '4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan.'

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