Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced the revival of six previously stalled urban rail lines to improve transport access across the city [2].
This initiative targets transport-underserved neighborhoods, aiming to ensure residents can reach a subway station within an eight-minute walk [1]. The projects represent the first major rail-transport policy of Mayor Oh's current term.
The revival includes the Gangbuk Cross Line, the Nangok Line, and the Seonam Line [1]. In total, the six lines will span 68.5 km [1]. The city has projected a budget of 9.2 trillion won for the construction [1].
City officials noted a historical lack of execution in rail planning. Ye Jang-kwon, the Seoul City Transport Office Director, said that over an 18-year period, only eight of 16 urban rail network plans passed the required preliminary feasibility studies [1].
Ye said the city intends to ensure that every rail line included in the third urban rail network plan reaches the feasibility study stage during the current term [1]. The effort is designed to move these projects from the planning phase into active development.
These lines are part of a broader strategy to balance infrastructure growth between the northern and southern districts of the capital. By prioritizing the Gangbuk Cross Line and other stalled routes, the administration seeks to eliminate transit deserts that have persisted for nearly two decades [1].
“residents can reach a subway station within an eight-minute walk”
The revival of these lines signals a shift in Seoul's infrastructure priority toward 'last-mile' connectivity. By targeting the feasibility study bottleneck that stalled half of the city's rail plans over the last 18 years, the administration is attempting to transition from long-term theoretical planning to tangible urban expansion.
