Woo Sang-ho "Undergrounding Line 1 Aboveground Section... Will Bridge Gangnam-Gangbuk Gap"

(Photo by Woo Sang-ho)

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Woo Sang-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea running in the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election, stated that he will definitely implement the undergrounding of the aboveground section of Line 1. On the 31st, Woo held a policy announcement on the 'Undergrounding of the Aboveground Section of Line 1' on the rooftop of the Gwangwoon University Station management building and made this statement.

He said, "The Gyeongui Line railway passes through my constituency, Seodaemun-gu, so I am well aware of how the railway divides the city and how difficult life is for residents living along the railway," adding, "I will first underground the aboveground section starting from Cheongnyangni Station."

Woo said, "As a candidate for Seoul mayor, I decided to solve this issue first and have been continuously working on methods and cost estimates," adding, "The total construction cost is estimated to be between 8 trillion and 9 trillion won."

He emphasized, "Recently, the floor area ratio around station areas has been raised to 700%, allowing for the construction of high-rise mixed-use buildings near stations," adding, "If apartments, commercial buildings, startup centers, and various cultural centers are established, the Gangbuk area will develop significantly."

He also said, "(The aboveground section of Line 1) is state-owned land, so costs are low and time for permits is saved, enabling the rapid reconnection of divided neighborhoods, and achieving a triple effect of parks, cultural complex facilities, and housing supply."

Furthermore, he stressed, "As the first Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor to promise the undergrounding of the aboveground section of Line 1, if I become Seoul mayor, I will work together with the council members, district mayors, and city and district council members here to reduce the transportation infrastructure gap between Gangnam and Gangbuk and achieve balanced development."

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