Suncheon City and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Narrow Down Options for Gyeongjeon Line Urban Bypass

Ministry of Land, Reflects Suncheon Citizens' Opinions Proposed at Meeting

Basic Plan Scheduled for Announcement on the 14th

Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu) announced on the 10th that it held a citizens' meeting on the Gyeongjeon Line railway construction project at the Suncheonman International Wetland Center Conference Hall, hosted by Suncheon City and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

This meeting holds great significance as it was held ahead of the announcement of the basic plan, following the visit of Minister Won Hee-ryong of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to Suncheon on the 16th of last month, during which he responded that “we will find the optimal urban bypass plan for the Gyeongjeon Line.”

[Photo by Suncheon City]

Before the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport explained the urban bypass of the Gyeongjeon Line in Suncheon, Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu of Suncheon said, “The railway was laid over 100 years ago, but Suncheon has grown incomparably since then,” and added, “I hope this will be a time to wisely present opinions and listen to responses so that the final policy can be decided for the future of the city,” setting the direction for the meeting held that day.

Following this, Oh Song-cheon, Director of Railway Construction at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, explained the progress of the Gyeongjeon Line railway construction project and the follow-up measures after the minister’s visit, and listened to citizens’ questions and opinions regarding the bypass of the Gyeongjeon Line.

The citizens attending the meeting expressed their gratitude for the efforts of Suncheon City and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for the urban bypass of the Gyeongjeon Line, and actively inquired about the “reasons for planning the route passing through Suncheon’s urban area during the establishment of the basic plan for the Gyeongjeon Line” and the “future direction for route decision,” showing passionate engagement in seeking the optimal bypass plan.

Going forward, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to reflect the citizens’ opinions submitted at this meeting before the announcement of the basic plan on the 14th, and prepare the optimal bypass plan for Suncheon when starting the basic and detailed design in July of the following year, thereby promoting the Gyeongjeon Line railway construction project.

Additionally, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated, “The basic plan announcement only specifies the major passing points and station locations, but the route will be reviewed and supplemented during the design process. Regarding the use plan for the existing route when bypassing the Gyeongjeon Line, it will be a matter to be discussed with Suncheon City in the future.”

Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu of Suncheon expressed gratitude to the citizens and officials who attended the meeting, saying, “I have understood the will of the citizens, and while we will work with the central government to resolve the issue, we will need a lot of support from the citizens.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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