KTX Gyeongju Station Area Development Gains Momentum as MOLIT Begins Review, Project Moves Forward in Earnest

Gyeongju City Applies for Investment Leading District Designation
Completes Preliminary Procedures Including Environmental and Traffic Impact Assessments
Development of 290,000 Pyeong Area Including Integrated Transfer Center
New Residential, Commercial, and Business District to Be Created

The development of the KTX Gyeongju Station area is gaining momentum as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has begun its review process.

The city of Gyeongju announced on the 25th that, together with North Gyeongsang Province, it has submitted an application to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for the designation of the 'Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongju Station Area Investment Leading District,' marking the first official step in the station area development.

Panoramic View and Project Rendering of the Station Area District Around KTX Gyeongju Station

The Gyeongju Station Area Investment Leading District project was selected through a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport public contest in December 2022. This large-scale development project aims to transform the area surrounding KTX Gyeongju Station into a new urban hub for Gyeongju.

The development will cover an area of approximately 290,000 pyeong (961,000 square meters) and is planned to become a new residential, commercial, and business district.

The total project cost is 509.6 billion won, of which 504.1 billion won will be secured through private investment.

Since being selected for the project, the city of Gyeongju has steadily established the project foundation by completing essential procedures such as formulating the development plan, conducting environmental and traffic impact assessments, and undergoing reviews by specialized agencies.

Compared to Sokcho and Tongyeong station area developments, which were selected in the same contest but remain in the planning stage, the Gyeongju Station Area development is considered to be progressing relatively quickly.

The designation process involves an application by the Governor of North Gyeongsang Province and approval by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. This process includes consultations with relevant ministries and a review by the National Land Policy Committee, and is expected to take about six months.

Gyeongju city plans to proceed with a step-by-step schedule, beginning with a resident briefing session next month, followed by district designation approval in the first half of 2026, project operator designation and implementation plan approval in 2028, commencement of land compensation in 2029, and completion of site development in 2033.

To enhance convenience for KTX Gyeongju Station users, the city is also promoting the construction of an integrated transfer center.

Currently, a basic concept study is underway, and the city has also participated in a consulting contest for innovative models organized by the Metropolitan Transport Commission under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The integrated transfer center will be a unified transportation facility where passengers can transfer between KTX, metropolitan, intercity and city buses, taxis, and private vehicles in one location. Once completed, it is expected to significantly improve mobility and accessibility around KTX Gyeongju Station.

Joo Nakyoung, Mayor of Gyeongju, stated, "We will ensure the smooth progress of the station area development to make the KTX Gyeongju Station area the gateway and a new growth axis for the city," adding, "We aim to create a future-oriented urban space equipped with transportation and living environments where citizens can truly experience change."

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