Seven Seoul districts — Yongsan, Seongdong, Dongdaemun, Jungnang, Seongbuk, Dobong and Nowon — called on the central government to release its comprehensive railway undergrounding plan without further delay and to include the Gyeongwon Line section between Yongsan Station and Dobongsan Station, along with its branch lines.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport had originally planned to announce the comprehensive plan, including the list of rail lines slated to go underground, by the end of 2025. It has yet to disclose any specifics.
The council expects that moving the tracks underground would resolve problems of urban severance, noise and vibration, while also helping revitalize neighborhoods through the use of the space freed up above the rail corridor.
"We will work with the relevant district governments to ensure the Gyeongwon Line is selected for the comprehensive plan," said Choi Dong-min, head of the council and mayor of Dongdaemun District.