5 Local Governments in Honam West Coast Region "West Coast Railway Construction"

Press Conference at Gochang County Office... Urging 'Inclusion in National Plan'
Local Leaders from Yeonggwang, Hampyeong, Gochang, Buan, and Gunsan Attend

Five local governments in the Honam West Coast region (Yeonggwang, Hampyeong, Gochang, Buan, Gunsan), including Yeonggwang-gun, have urged that "the establishment of the West Coast railway network should be expedited to promote balanced regional development."

According to the county on the 22nd, a "Press Conference to Urge the Inclusion of the West Coast Railway in the National Plan" was held at 11 a.m. in the large conference room of Gochang County Office.

The press conference was attended by Jang Se-il, Mayor of Yeonggwang-gun, Shim Deok-seop, Mayor of Gochang-gun, Kwon Ik-hyun, Mayor of Buan-gun, Shin Won-sik, Deputy Mayor of Gunsan City, and Lim Man-gyu, Deputy County Head of Hampyeong-gun.

On the 22nd, a press conference urging the inclusion of the West Coast Railway in the national plan was held in the main conference room of Gochang County Office. Photo by Yeonggwang County Office

The heads of the five local governments expressed serious concerns about the current situation where the Honam West Coast region is being unilaterally discriminated against compared to the Gyeonggi and Chungcheong regions in terms of West Coast railway infrastructure.

In fact, on the 2nd, three lines?the Seohae Line (Hongseong to Seohwaseong), Janghang Line (Sinchang to Hongseong), and Pyeongtaek Line (Anjung to Oseong)?were simultaneously opened, marking a new milestone in the railway network development in the Gyeonggi and Chungnam regions. The East Coast is also scheduled to open the railway between Pohang and Samcheok by the end of this year.

On the other hand, the West Coast of Jeonnam and Jeonbuk, despite being the core of advanced industries leading the nation's future such as the national project Saemangeum, shipbuilding, nuclear power, offshore wind power, electric vehicles, and drones, has seen no progress in railway network development for several years.

Through the resolution, the five local governments emphasized that "the West Coast railway will reduce logistics costs, promote the development of national advanced industries, and alleviate traffic congestion on the saturated Seohaean Expressway, thereby reducing carbon emissions and improving land use efficiency."

In particular, the necessity of railway network development was raised in response to the exploding tourism demand. The Honam West Coast region currently operates Muan International Airport and plans to open Saemangeum International Airport within the next five years, along with three international passenger terminals (Gunsan Port, Saemangeum New Port, Mokpo Port) and a cruise terminal (Buan Gyeokpo). To transport tourists from China, Japan, and Southeast Asia inland, the establishment of a railway network is essential.

After the press conference, the five local governments, including Yeonggwang-gun, plan to form a council and launch a nationwide signature campaign by the end of this year. They will then deliver the signed petitions to the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and next year, they plan to conduct joint urging activities targeting the Honam political circles.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to hold a public hearing on the national railway network construction plan in April next year and finalize and announce the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan (2026?2035) in the second half of next year.

A county official said, "The construction of the West Coast railway is a hopeful future for the Honam West Coast region, contributing to balanced national development, establishing an economic and tourism industry base in the Pan Yellow Sea era, and improving the quality of life for local residents. Together with Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and various local governments, we will do our best to ensure that the West Coast railway is reflected in the national railway network construction plan."

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