Daegu-Gwangju Connected 'Dalbit High-Speed Rail Construction Special Act' Proposed... 4.5 Trillion Won Invested

The "Special Act for the Construction of the Dalbit High-Speed Railway," a long-cherished project for Yeongho and Nam regions, was proposed on the 22nd with a record number of co-sponsoring lawmakers.

Following the simultaneous passage of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport construction and the Gwangju Military Airport relocation special acts in April this year, the Dalbit Alliance has once again demonstrated its true value.

The "Special Act for the Construction of the Dalbit High-Speed Railway," proposed by Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, set a historic record with 261 lawmakers co-sponsoring: 109 from the People Power Party, 148 from the Democratic Party of Korea, 1 from the Justice Party, and 3 independents. This is expected to accelerate the subsequent procedures such as the standing committee review and the act’s passage within the year.

Daegu-Gwangju Connected Dalbit High-Speed Rail Route Map.

The main provisions of the Dalbit High-Speed Railway Special Act include exemption from preliminary feasibility studies to expedite the construction project, development of areas around high-speed railway stations, and the ability to subsidize or finance necessary costs for the construction project and surrounding area development to ensure swift progress.

The Dalbit High-Speed Railway project was included in the 4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan in July 2021. It is a large-scale project with a total length of 198.8 km and a budget of 4.5158 trillion KRW.

The route is planned to pass through six metropolitan areas and ten local governments: Daegu (Seodaegu), Gyeongbuk (Goryeong), Gyeongnam (Hapcheon, Geochang, Hamyang), Jeonbuk (Jangsu, Namwon, Sunchang), Jeonnam (Damyang), and Gwangju (Songjeong). The project is expected to have significant impact and symbolism in expanding exchanges between Yeongho and Nam regions and strengthening regional balanced development.

With the construction of the Dalbit High-Speed Railway, a southern economic community is expected to form, generating approximately 7.3 trillion KRW in production inducement effects and creating over 30,000 jobs. It is also anticipated to contribute to the development of the tourism industry by connecting the new airport and linked railway lines, utilizing the pristine natural scenery around the route, including Jirisan.

The enactment of the Dalbit High-Speed Railway Special Act began in earnest in April this year. At a gathering at Jirisan Rest Area where Daegu and Gwangju celebrated the simultaneous passage of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport and Gwangju Military Airport Special Acts, the Dalbit Alliance agreed to continue their momentum by jointly promoting the Dalbit Railway Special Act, accelerating the process.

Subsequently, under the leadership of Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, the special act proposal was pushed forward, with active participation from Democratic Party representatives and other affiliated lawmakers as co-sponsors. This bipartisan effort led to the bill’s proposal for the development and coexistence of Yeongho and Nam regions, transcending political interests.

Hong Jun-pyo, mayor of Daegu, expressed, “First, I thank Floor Leader Yoon Jae-ok for leading the proposal of the special act and all lawmakers from both parties who joined forces. Since the special act holds symbolic and ripple effects for east-west harmony and regional balanced development, we will do our best to ensure its passage within the year.”

The Dalbit High-Speed Railway Special Act is scheduled to be reviewed and approved by the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee before being submitted to the plenary session, where it is expected to pass as early as this year.

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