Opposition Party Pushes for Underground Urban Railroads... "Creating a Nationwide 1-Hour Living Zone"

People Power Party Announces 'Growing Together with Old Downtown' Pledge
"Improving Distorted Transportation System in Neglected Areas"
Old Downtown to Develop Parks, Workplaces, Residences, and Convenience Facilities

The People Power Party has proposed the undergrounding of above-ground railways that divide urban areas as part of their campaign promises. They plan to introduce metropolitan express railways to major regions nationwide to create a one-hour metropolitan living zone. The plan also includes applying special measures to old downtown areas to transform them into living zones where residential, cultural, commercial, and office facilities coexist.

The People Power Party's Policy Development Headquarters announced this 'Growing Together with Old Downtowns' pledge on the 31st in Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do. This is the party's fourth pledge and responds to requests from Suwon citizens to resolve inefficiencies and inconveniences caused by the Gyeongbu Line railway that crosses Suwon.

Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, introduced plans for undergrounding railways that cause urban division in major cities nationwide and for integrated development. This is based on the judgment that urban division caused by railways produces isolated and marginalized areas, expands into urban problems such as habitual traffic congestion due to distorted transportation systems.

Handonghun, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 29th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

Chairman Han envisions undergrounding railways that cause urban division in major cities nationwide and recreating future-oriented urban spaces through integrated development of the railway upper space and surrounding sites. Earlier, on the 9th, the passage of the 'Special Act on Railway Undergrounding and Integrated Development of Railway Sites' is expected to provide policy support for the party's pledge.

They will also introduce metropolitan express trains to major regions nationwide to establish a one-hour living zone. Additionally, they will promote future-oriented urban redevelopment that combines parks and cities, enabling a 15-minute living zone including parks, workplaces, residences, and convenience facilities in aging old downtowns. This includes a plan to apply special measures to restore the functions of old downtowns by redesigning them according to regional characteristics beyond the existing zoning system.

Furthermore, efforts will be made to create complex cultural and sports spaces in major cities. The People Power Party plans to promote private investment activation through tax support and other measures to secure spaces where people can enjoy cultural activities such as exhibitions and performances, sports, food, and shopping. The People Power Party stated, "By enhancing the competitiveness of regional cities, we will not only eliminate regional disparities but also present additional pledges that can reduce quality-of-life gaps among local residents."

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