Jeonnam Province Accelerates Completion of 2-Hour Rail Network Connecting Capital and Yeongnam Regions

916.4 Billion KRW Government Budget Reflected... Momentum Builds for SOC Renaissance Realization

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province is accelerating efforts to complete a two-hour railway network connecting the Seoul metropolitan area and the Yeongnam region as an essential infrastructure to realize the vision of "Pacific Rim Era, New Maritime and Eco-friendly Capital Jeonnam."

According to the province on the 2nd, the railway budget reflected in this year's government budget is 916.4 billion KRW, further strengthening the realization of the Jeonnam SOC Renaissance era.

This is a 16.1% increase from last year's 789.6 billion KRW.

By project, 605 billion KRW has been secured for the second phase of the Honam High-Speed Railway project between Gwangju Songjeong and Mokpo, aiming for completion in 2025.

246 billion KRW has been secured for the railway project between Boseong and Imseong-ri, and 46.8 billion KRW for the Gyeongjeon Line railway project between Jinju and Gwangyang, scheduled for completion this year and opening next year.

In particular, 240 billion KRW has been allocated to the Gyeongjeon Line railway project connecting Gwangju Songjeong, Boseong, and Suncheon, with the section between Boseong and Suncheon expected to be completed by 2025. Together with the Boseong-Imseong-ri railway, this will connect the entire section from Mokpo to Busan.

Currently, the train from Mokpo to Busan via Gwangju takes 6 hours and 36 minutes, but this will be reduced by more than 4 hours to 2 hours and 24 minutes, leading to a half-day living zone.

Additionally, three new lines?the Jeolla Line High-Speed Railway, Dalbit Inland Railway, and Gwangju-Naju Metropolitan Railway?have been included as new projects in the 4th National Railway Network Construction Plan, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is currently conducting a preliminary feasibility study.

The Jeolla Line High-Speed Railway connects Iksan and Yeosu. With a total length of 89.2 km and a total project cost of 3.0357 trillion KRW, it will newly construct and improve the curved sections of the existing Jeolla Line.

Travel time from Seoul to Yeosu will be reduced from the original 2 hours and 40 minutes to 2 hours and 10 minutes, cutting 34 minutes, shedding the stigma of being a slow train, and establishing itself as a high-speed railway connecting the southern central region of Korea, eastern Jeonnam, and the metropolitan area.

The Gwangju-Naju Metropolitan Railway is a cooperative line between Gwangju and Jeonnam, starting from Gwangju Sangmu Station and connecting Nampyeong, Innovation City, and Naju Station in Naju, with a budget of 1.5235 trillion KRW. It is expected to serve as a comfortable and fast means of transportation by linking the Gwangju subway and metropolitan railway.

The Dalbit Inland Railway is a project investing 4.5158 trillion KRW over a total distance of 198.8 km, connecting Gwangju, Jeonnam and Jeonbuk, Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk, and Daegu. As an East-West integrated railway project and a Yeongnam-Honam cooperation project, it is expected to contribute to establishing a new southern economic zone.

A Jeonnam Province official said, "Not only the north-south railways connecting the metropolitan area but also east-west railway routes are opening," adding, "We will contribute to improving the convenience of Honam residents and regional development through annual budget securing and administrative support."

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