Government Specifies "Timely Supply to Kim Bu-seon"... Gimpo Opposes Ahead of Final Plan

'Kim Bu-seon' Named in Top-Level Transportation Plan
Hundreds of Criticisms Within a Day of Administrative Notice
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Clarifies "Not a Finalized Plan"
Local Opposition Intensifies Ahead of Final Announcement

A large banner urging the direct connection of the GTX-D line to Seoul is hung on the exterior wall of an apartment in Gimpo City.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] As the government prepares the highest-level statutory plan in the transportation sector, the official document specifies the Seoul Metropolitan Area Express Train (GTX) Line D as the ‘Gimpo-Bucheon’ section, sparking growing opposition among residents of the Gimpo area. With the announcement of the final version of the 4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan, which will confirm whether Line D will be extended to the Gangnam area, tensions between the government and local residents are intensifying.

According to the government and industry sources on the 23rd, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) conducted an administrative notice for public comments on the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment of the 2nd National Core Transportation Network Plan the day before. Reviewing the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment prepared by MOLIT, it includes a detailed task for balanced national development to timely supply the ‘Gimpo-Bucheon’ line (also known as the ‘Gimbuseon’) along with GTX Lines A, B, and C.

The ‘Gimbuseon’ was announced in the draft of the 4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan released last April as the ‘Gimpo Janggi to Bucheon Sports Complex’ section, which has caused backlash from local residents. Residents in the western region, including Gimpo and Incheon Geomdan, demanded that the line be directly connected to Gangnam due to poor accessibility to Seoul, but their request was rejected.

In this situation, the line being specified as the ‘Gimbuseon’ in documents related to the 2nd National Core Transportation Network Plan, a higher-level plan than the 4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan and the highest-level statutory plan in the transportation sector for a 20-year period, has further fueled residents’ opposition. Notably, MOLIT labeled the ‘Gimbuseon’ not as GTX but as the ‘Western Area Metropolitan Express Railroad.’ This is interpreted as an attempt to maintain the government’s stance of not officially confirming the GTX-D line and to lower expectations for a direct connection to Gangnam.

The administrative notice received over 700 comments within a day. Residents of Gimpo and Incheon criticized, saying, "If the Gimbuseon is confirmed, transportation inequality for western area residents will worsen," and "The government only repeats formal opinion collection without reflecting residents’ views."

MOLIT explained that the 2nd National Core Transportation Network Plan only relates to the direction of the transportation sector and that the Gimbuseon has not been finalized. A MOLIT official said, "We included railway-related content from the National Railroad Network Construction Plan announced last April in the materials," adding, "If the implementation of specific transportation projects, route changes, or extensions are confirmed later, the transportation network plan can also change."

Industry insiders express concerns that once the government announces the final version of the 4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan later this month, controversy will inevitably escalate. If the government maintains the Gimbuseon as is or only extends the line to Seoul Yongsan or Yeouido as currently planned, organized opposition from Gimpo and Incheon residents who want a direct connection to Gangnam is expected. Conversely, even if the direct connection to Gangnam is accepted, the government is likely to face criticism for reversing policies based on public opinion.

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