Chungcheong Inland Expressway: 10.7km Eumseong?Chungju Section to Open at Noon on the 18th

by Mo Seokbong

Published 14 Nov.2025 11:12(KST)

Travel Time Between Cheongju and Chungju to Be Reduced from About 53 Minutes to 30 Minutes Upon Full Opening of the Route

Photo by Daejeon Regional Land Management Office

The additional opening of the Chungcheong Inland Expressway will shorten travel time between Cheongju and Chungju in North Chungcheong Province.

The Daejeon Regional Land Management Office (headed by Bang Yoonseok) announced that, starting at 12:00 p.m. on November 18, an additional 10.7-kilometer section (four lanes) of the main line will open, stretching from Daejang-ri (Soi Interchange) in Soi-myeon, Eumseong-gun to Manjeong-ri (Sinchon Interchange) in Daesowon-myeon, Chungju-si.

With this opening, 40.4 kilometers (90.6%) of the total 44.6 kilometers of the Chungcheong Inland Expressway (expressway section) will be accessible, bringing the realization of a half-day living zone in the northern region of North Chungcheong Province one step closer.

The Chungcheong Inland Expressway project began construction in April 2017 and has been underway for eight years. The remaining 4.2-kilometer section from Sinchon Interchange to Geomdan Interchange is also scheduled to open in December.

Photo by Daejeon Regional Land Management Office

Once the entire route is open, travel time between Cheongju and Chungju will be reduced by approximately 23 minutes, from the current 53 minutes to about 30 minutes, significantly improving regional connectivity.

Bang Yoonseok, head of the Daejeon Regional Land Management Office, stated, "With this opening, we expect to provide road users traveling in the northern region of North Chungcheong Province with a faster and more comfortable transportation environment, thereby strengthening interregional connections and revitalizing the local economy. We will do our utmost to manage the site so that the remaining construction can be completed without any safety accidents."