Council Member Yi Seung-hyeop's 'Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway Resolution' Passes Plenary Session Unanimously

Suwon Special City Council spoke with one voice, calling on the government to reflect the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway in the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan.

Viewing the present moment—as the announcement has been delayed—as a final opportunity to raise awareness of the project's necessity, the council aims to lend its support at the legislative level.

According to the Suwon Special City Council on the 11th, the resolution titled "Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway: Reflecting in the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan and Urging Swift Promotion," which was initiated by Council Member Yi Seung-hyeop (Democratic Party, representing Ingye-dong, Uman 1, Uman 2, Hwanggung, and Jidong), passed at the 2nd plenary session of the 404th Extraordinary Session on the same day with unanimous support from all 37 council members.

The Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway is a metropolitan railway project connecting Jamsil Sports Complex in Seoul through Seongnam and Yongin, Suwon, to Hwaseong. Following discussions on joint promotion by four local governments in December 2022, it has undergone a basic concept study and preliminary feasibility assessment, and now faces the gateway of national plan inclusion.

Council Member Yi stated at the session, "As the announcement of the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan has been delayed from its original schedule, now is the time to marshal all efforts to reflect it in the national plan. Before the plan is finalized, Gyeonggi Province and Suwon must actively publicize the project's necessity and economic viability to ensure its inclusion."

He continued, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport must decide, Gyeonggi Province must persuade, and Suwon must act. Suwon must not remain confined to joint response but must take a more proactive stance in persuading the government by leading with Suwon's transportation demand and industrial competitiveness."

Council Member Yi stated, "Even in subsequent procedures following national plan inclusion, such as route confirmation and preliminary feasibility assessment, I will sufficiently gather citizen opinions and continuously make recommendations to the government and Gyeonggi Province. The council will actively support swift implementation of the project."