Choi Hyun-deok, Mayor of Namyangju, and Lee Soo-hee, District Chief of Gangdong, Discuss Metropolitan Transportation Issues

[Suwon Ilbo=Um In-yong Reporter]Namyangju City discussed major transportation issues on the 23rd with Gangdong-gu (District Chief Lee Soo-hee) regarding the connection of metropolitan railway networks and improving citizens' mobility.

The meeting was arranged on the occasion of District Chief Lee Soo-hee's visit to Namyangju City.

Both organizations shared the status of the Gangdong-Hanam-Namyangju Line and the Songpa-Hanam Line, and intensively discussed transfer plans linking Seoul Metro Line 9 and Line 3.

The city requested cooperation from Gangdong-gu for the timely opening of the Gangdong-Hanam-Namyangju Line (Line 9 extension) being pursued as part of the Wangsuk New City Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Plan.

Gangdong-gu explained a plan to adjust the route of the Songpa-Hanam Line, included in Hanam's Gyosan New City Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Plan, toward Gangdong-gu so that it can connect to Line 9's Duncho Oreum Station, and requested cooperation from Namyangju City.

Mayor Choi Hyun-deok and District Chief Lee Soo-hee agreed that this will play an important role in improving mobility for 2.5 million residents in the northeastern Seoul metropolitan area and strengthening the metropolitan transportation system.

Once the Songpa-Hanam Line connects to Duncho Oreum Station, Line 9 users from Namyangju and eastern areas of the Seoul metropolitan region will be able to transfer to Line 3 and more conveniently access major Gangnam-area hubs including Suseo Station (KTX·GTX-A), Express Bus Terminal, South Terminal, Garak Market, Seoul Arts Center, and Samsung Medical Center.

The city conveyed the opinion that since only local trains currently stop at Duncho Oreum Station, express train stops are also necessary to enhance the transfer effect with the extended Line 9.

Mayor Choi Hyun-deok stated, "Close cooperation between local governments is most important for the metropolitan railway network," and added, "Starting with this meeting, we will actively cooperate with relevant organizations and do our best to build a metropolitan transportation network that citizens can feel."