Kim Kyungsoo Announces Transportation Overhaul for "BU-UL-GYEONG Megacity 30-Minute Living Zone"

"Kim Kyungsoo's First Promise for the Great Transition of Gyeongnam"
First Campaign Pledge Outlines Vision for Comprehensive Transformation of Gyeongnam's Transportation System

Kim Kyungsoo, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Governor of Gyeongnam Province, stated, "Restoring the 'Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (BU-UL-GYEONG) Megacity,' which unites the entire region into a single large economic zone, is the first task for innovation." On April 27, he announced a plan to establish four major metropolitan railway networks to realize a BU-UL-GYEONG 30-minute living zone.

Kim Kyungsoo, Democratic Party of Korea Candidate for Governor of Gyeongnam. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the morning of April 27, Kim held a press conference in the Gyeongnam Provincial Council press room to unveil the first of his campaign pledges, titled "Kim Kyungsoo's Promise for the Great Transition of Gyeongnam." He presented his strategy for creating a BU-UL-GYEONG Megacity 30-minute living zone centered on four major metropolitan railway networks, along with his vision for a comprehensive transformation of Gyeongnam's transportation system.

Kim pointed out, "While the South Korean economy achieved positive growth in the 1% range last year, Gyeongnam recorded negative growth of minus 0.8% in the same period." He argued, "The economic crisis in Gyeongnam cannot be overcome with conventional methods," stressing, "We must completely change the framework."

The four major metropolitan railway networks include: ▲ The first axis—expedited completion and extension of the West Gyeongnam KTX line; ▲ The second axis—high-speed upgrades to the East Gyeongnam KTX line; ▲ The third axis—construction of the South Coastwide Metropolitan Express Railway; and ▲ The fourth axis—early commencement of the Dalbit Railway. The vision is to connect the entire BU-UL-GYEONG region into a single living zone through these four railway networks.

On the same day, Kim also proposed AI-based transportation innovation and practical, everyday transportation welfare policies. He pledged to build an AI-powered, user-responsive public transportation platform called ART (AI/All-Demand Responsive Transportation), aiming to achieve "zero public transport blind spots in Gyeongnam." ART is a system that analyzes demand in real time and flexibly allocates buses, taxis, and on-demand transport accordingly.

Additionally, as a measure to ease transportation costs for residents, Kim announced plans to introduce the "Gyeongnam Pass," a monthly flat-rate system allowing unlimited use of all public transit. For areas with insufficient public transportation, he promised to operate an additional ultra-low-cost pass. He also pledged to promote gradual expansion of transportation fare reimbursements for workers in special development zones and industrial complexes, support for university students commuting long distances, and eventual free ferry fares for island residents.

In conclusion, Kim emphasized, "Through the BU-UL-GYEONG Megacity, I will achieve a major transformation of the Gyeongnam economy." He added, "I will build a Gyeongnam where people gather and money stays thanks to new railway lines, and where young people who left the region return once again."

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