Controversy Over GTX-B Line Substation Installation at Bucheon Lake Park... Resident Public Hearing to Resume Next Month

A high-voltage substation to supply power to the 수도권광역급행철도 (GTX)-B line is planned to be built within Bucheon Hosu Park in Gyeonggi Province, sparking controversy. Meanwhile, the environmental impact assessment public hearing, which was postponed once, is scheduled to be held next month, drawing attention to the outcome.

According to Bucheon City on the 18th, the GTX-B project operator, 'Sudogwon Gwangyeok Geuphaeng Cheoldo B Noseon Jusikhoesa' (Metropolitan Area Express Railway B Line Co., Ltd.), plans to hold the environmental impact assessment (draft) public hearing again on the 1st of next month at 3 p.m. in the Eoul Madang of Bucheon City Hall, after it was canceled due to residents' opposition.

The public hearing was originally scheduled for the 11th but was canceled after strong opposition from about 300 attending residents regarding the installation of the substation in Sangdong Hosu Park. At that time, residents protested, saying that a substation should not be installed underground in Hosu Park, where walking trails and other facilities have been developed.

They claimed that the organizers held the public hearing unilaterally without disclosing relevant information in advance and demanded that an alternative site for the substation be prepared before holding another public hearing. After internal discussions, the project operator decided to hold the hearing again and released related materials in advance on the Bucheon City website on the same day.

At the public hearing for the environmental impact assessment of the GTX-B line held on the 11th, residents opposed the installation of a substation in Sangdong Lake Park.
[Photo by Bucheon City, Gyeonggi Province]

The GTX-B line will be constructed over an 82.7 km section from Incheon Songdo International City, passing through Bucheon and Seoul, to Namyangju Maseok. Construction is set to begin in 2024, with an opening targeted for 2030. A substation is needed to supply power to this line, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to build it underground in the parking lot south of Bucheon Hosu Park.

The substation will reduce the power from 154,000 volts (V) to 55,000 volts (V) to supply electricity to the GTX-B line trains. It is known that two more substations will be installed in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province along this line, in addition to Bucheon.

Bucheon Sangdong Hosu Park is a family park used by about 2 million citizens annually. It is a place where many people gather, with a comprehensive cultural center and theme park nearby. Moreover, apartment complexes are located near the planned substation site, causing residents to be highly concerned about exposure to electromagnetic waves.

Regarding the Bucheon Hosu Park substation, not only residents but also Bucheon City firmly oppose it. Bucheon Mayor Jo Yong-ik stated on social media (SNS), "We will never accept the installation of a substation in Hosu Park, which symbolizes Bucheon City's green welfare, without considering citizens' health rights."

However, the project operator claims that the electromagnetic wave levels emitted from the train substation are lower than those from household appliances such as refrigerators and TVs, and thus have almost no impact on human health.

Bucheon City demands the project be scrapped, citing the unsuitability of the substation location, regional equity, and procedural issues. The city has requested the project operator to install the substation in idle railway land near Incheon Bupyeong Station or in the hills near Bucheon Kkachiwool Station.

A Bucheon City official said, "We will actively respond to ensure that the citizens' will is gathered and the local opinion is reflected regarding the Sangdong Hosu Park substation issue. We are urging the Ministry of Land and the project operator to prepare alternative plans. We hope many citizens will attend the public hearing next month and express their opinions."

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