Governor Kim Deokhyun: "Transportation Networks Are Key to Overcoming Regional Extinction... Urges Commencement of Seoul-Yeoncheon Expressway"

Governor Kim Deokhyun of Yeoncheon Makes Strong Appeal to Minister Kim Yoonduk
Calls for Early Construction of Seoul-Yeoncheon Expressway and Increased Train Operations on Gyeongwon Line
Urges Inclusion of Dongducheon-Woljeongri Electrification and Other Key Regional Issues

Yeoncheon County in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 13th that it held a meeting with Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, at the Land Development Exhibition Hall on the 12th, where they engaged in in-depth discussions on key regional issues.

Kim Deokhyun, Governor of Yeoncheon County, is taking a commemorative photo after holding a meeting with Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, on the 12th at the Land Development Exhibition Hall. Provided by Yeoncheon County

At the meeting, Kim Deokhyun, Governor of Yeoncheon County, proposed three major issues: the early commencement of construction on the Seoul-Yeoncheon Expressway; inclusion of the Dongducheon-Woljeongri electrification project in the 5th National Rail Network Construction Plan; and the increase in train operations on the Gyeongwon Line.

Governor Kim emphasized, "To address the risk of regional extinction, it is not enough to simply provide financial support. The establishment of a wide-area transportation network that enhances the city's self-sufficiency and enables population settlement must come first."

He further stated, "Yeoncheon boasts a pristine natural environment and is the site of large-scale government-funded projects, such as the third National Yeoncheon Memorial Park, scheduled for completion in 2027. The Seoul-Yeoncheon Expressway is a core infrastructure that will drive a strategic transformation of the local economy. This project was presented as a presidential pledge and was reiterated by the President during his visit to Yeoncheon, and it is also included in national policy tasks."

Additionally, Governor Kim strongly asserted the need to expand the rail network, stating, "Despite being a representative region that has endured long-term development restrictions and military regulations for national security, the border areas of northern Gyeonggi and Gangwon Province continue to suffer from inequality in access to commuting, education, and medical services due to a lack of rail infrastructure, which plays a central role in public transportation. This results in limited train operations and delayed intervals."

He particularly highlighted the Dongducheon-Woljeongri electrification project, noting its potential to serve as a bridgehead for a central railway network between the North and South in the future, making it a key infrastructure for inter-Korean economic cooperation. He requested its inclusion in the 5th National Rail Network Construction Plan.

Furthermore, he stressed, "To maximize the tangible benefits of opening the Gyeongwon Line Subway Line 1, it is essential to increase the number of train operations." He added, "With the anticipated surge in transportation demand due to the establishment of industrial complexes and the influx of new apartment residents along the Gyeongwon Line, we recommend increasing train frequency so that residents can experience real transportation benefits."

In response, Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, replied, "Special compensation for the unique sacrifices of border regions is a core philosophy of the President and a value shared by all ministries. We will thoroughly review the expansion of transportation infrastructure in border areas at the ministerial level."

Meanwhile, a county official stated, "This meeting was a meaningful opportunity to share Yeoncheon County's development direction with the central government and to emphasize the need for policy support to resolve regional transportation imbalances. We will continue to strengthen cooperation with central ministries to secure the region's future competitiveness."

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