KTX Partially Extended from Iksan to Gwangju Songjeong Station... Fulfills a Decade-Long Wish

Gwangju City and Political Leaders' Efforts Bear Fruit
Two Additional Trains Extended to Gwangju Songjeong Starting November 17

The long-awaited increase in Honam Line KTX services for Gwangju citizens will be partially implemented.

On November 10, the Gwangju city government announced, "Starting from November 17, Korea Railroad Corporation will extend the final destination of two out of four KTX-Sancheon trains, which previously operated between Yongsan (Haengsin) and Iksan, to Gwangju Songjeong Station."

The Honam Line KTX opened in 2015, 11 years later than the Gyeongbu Line, after Osong Station was designated as a branching station in 2005. During this time, the Honam Line had fewer train services and seats compared to the Gyeongbu Line, making it a symbol of regional discrimination.

To address this imbalance, the Gwangju city government has consistently called for increased services. Currently, during peak hours (7-9 a.m. and 5-7 p.m.), there are 13 Honam Line services compared to 27-31 on the Gyeongbu Line, which is twice as many on weekdays and 2.4 times more on weekends. On weekends, the Honam Line adds just one extra train, while the Gyeongbu Line adds 21, resulting in a nearly 20-fold difference. The number of seats is also 2.6 times higher on weekdays and three times higher on weekends for the Gyeongbu Line.

In September, Mayor Kang Gi-jung, local politicians, and citizens held a "Resolution Rally for Increased KTX Services on the Honam Line" and called on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to address this unfairness. In October, Mayor Kang personally met with Minister Kim Yoon-duk to stress the need for more services. Minister Kim responded, "I am aware of the difficulties faced by Gwangju citizens and will consider the matter positively."

In the political arena, Assemblyman Jeong Junho (Gwangju Buk-gu Gap), a member of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, led negotiations with Korea Railroad Corporation, resulting in the confirmation of the extension to Gwangju Songjeong Station.

The Gwangju city government plans to continue discussions with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to further increase Honam Line services and expand train capacity. In the long term, it also aims to expand transportation networks such as the "Gwangju New Industry Line" and the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Metropolitan Railway Network."

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