Agreement Reached on Gwangju-Naju Metropolitan Railway Route... Joint Efforts for Inclusion in National Rail Network Project

by Sim Jinseok

Published 22 Oct.2025 17:03(KST)

Jeonnam Province to Announce Details as Early as Early This Month

On August 27 at 10:30 AM, the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Special Local Government Promotion Proclamation Ceremony" was held in the main conference room of Naju City Hall, attended by Kang Gijeong, mayor of Gwangju; Kim Youngrok, governor of Jeonnam Province; Shin Sujeong, chairman of the Gwangju City Council; Kim Taegyun, chairman of the Jeonnam Provincial Council; and Kim Kyungsu, chairman of the Local Era Committee. Photo by Shim Jinseok

The detailed route plan for the Gwangju-Jeonnam Metropolitan Railway Construction Project, which was the first joint agenda item of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Special Metropolitan Union, has been finalized.

According to Jeonnam Province and other sources on October 22, the agreed route for the metropolitan railway project is Gwangju Sangmu Station (starting point) - Hyocheon Station - Daechon-dong - Nampyeong Station - Naju Innovation City - Naju Station (terminus). The total length is 28.77 kilometers, with the Gwangju section covering 14.31 kilometers and the Naju section covering 14.46 kilometers.

The total project cost is 1.6543 trillion won, with 1.158 trillion won coming from the national budget and 496.3 billion won from local governments. The local government shares are 246.9 billion won from Gwangju, 124.7 billion won from Jeonnam Province, and 124.7 billion won from Naju. If there are any changes in the project cost, the respective local governments will bear the additional expenses.

The method of operation for the metropolitan railway and the allocation of operating costs will be determined through a separate agreement before the completion of the detailed design.

Jeonnam Province, Gwangju City, and Naju City plan to jointly announce an agreement for the construction of the Gwangju-Naju Metropolitan Railway at the end of this month or early next month.

Meanwhile, the Gwangju-Naju Metropolitan Railway was previously excluded from the government's preliminary feasibility study in July due to reasons such as insufficient economic viability. In response, Gwangju City and Jeonnam Province have agreed to make joint efforts to ensure the project is included in the 5th National Rail Network Construction Plan.