Wando, Haenam, Yeongam Jointly Propose Seoul-Wando-Jeju High-Speed Rail Construction

Submission of the "5th National Railroad Network Construction Plan Reflection Proposal" to Jeonnam Province

Wando County, Haenam County, and Yeongam County have joined forces to establish a Seoul-Jeju high-speed railway passing through Wando, Jeollanam-do.

Wando County visited Haenam and Yeongam Counties to request their participation in ensuring that the Seoul-Jeju high-speed railway construction project passing through Wando is included in the '5th National Railroad Network Construction Plan.' Haenam and Yeongam Counties agreed to this request, the counties announced on the 13th.

The governors of Wando, Haenam, and Yeongam jointly submitted a petition titled ‘Seoul-Jeju High-Speed Railway Construction Project Passing Through Wando’ to Jeollanam-do on the 7th.

Since 2021, Wando County has continuously petitioned for the Seoul-Jeju high-speed railway construction project to be included in the ‘4th National Railroad Network Plan,’ but it was not reflected.

Subsequently, through a ‘high-speed railway feasibility study’ service, the route was reviewed and economic feasibility analyzed, making great efforts to ensure that the Seoul-Wando-Jeju high-speed railway construction project is included in the ‘5th National Railroad Network Plan.’

In November last year, a ‘Seoul-Jeju High-Speed Railway Construction Forum’ was held to discuss the importance and feasibility of the project, and last month, through the final report meeting of the ‘Wando County High-Speed Railway Construction Feasibility Study,’ the Seoul-Jeju high-speed railway project was decided to follow a route passing through Wando.

The national railroad network construction not only resolves inconveniences caused by flight and maritime cancellations due to abnormal weather but also shortens travel time, improves accessibility to human and material resources, creates jobs, increases domestic and international tourism demand, and accelerates balanced national development.

Wando County plans to focus administrative efforts on actively petitioning Jeollanam-do, the central government, and political circles to ensure that the Seoul-Wando-Jeju high-speed railway construction project is included in the ‘5th National Railroad Network Construction Plan.’

Meanwhile, considering the geographic characteristics that reduce accessibility, the county is fully committed to expanding various transportation networks such as the Gwangju-Wando Expressway, Wando-Goheung Coastal Tourist Road, island bridges, and railroads.

Shin Woo-cheol, governor of Wando County, said, “Once the high-speed railway is constructed, accessibility will be dramatically improved, enabling local residents to enjoy a better quality of life. It will serve as a driving force for regional development linked to key projects such as the marine healing industry and lay the foundation for balanced national development.” He added, “Since inclusion in the national plan is not easy, the county and Jeollanam-do will cooperate to achieve good results and do their best.”

Wando = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil just8440@asiae.co.kr

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