The congestion level of the Gimpo Gold Line, previously known as the 'hell train,' is gradually easing. This year, six additional trains have been deployed, reducing the peak congestion level from 215% to below 190%, and the interval between trains has decreased from 3 minutes to 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance published a report titled 'Changes starting from the second half of 2025' on the 1st, which includes this information.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, a total of six trains were sequentially added to the Gimpo Gold Line until the first half of this year. The first deployment occurred in June 2024, followed by the addition of two trains each in August and September, completing the planned four-phase expansion with another train added in March of this year.
As a result, the congestion level during peak commuting hours has dropped to 187% as of October 2024, down from a maximum of 215%. The interval between trains has also been shortened from 3 minutes to 2 minutes and 30 seconds, somewhat alleviating the inconvenience for commuters. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to introduce five more trains by next year to further ease congestion.
The regional arterial road network will also be significantly expanded starting in the second half of the year. To support logistics in industrial complexes and strengthen connections between regions, highways connecting Saemangeum to Jeonju (55.1 km) and Pohang to Yeongdeok (30.9 km) are scheduled to open within this year. Once these two routes are opened, the transportation network along the east-west axis and the East Coast will be completed, contributing to balanced regional development and the revitalization of tourism and logistics.
In addition, construction of highways connecting Busan New Port to Gimhae and Gyeyang to Ganghwa will also begin this year. The route connecting Busan New Port aims to reduce logistics costs due to increased port cargo, while the Gyeyang to Ganghwa route targets traffic distribution and congestion alleviation in the northwestern region of the metropolitan area.
The 'Boseong-Imseongri Single Track Railway' connecting Boseong and Mokpo in Jeollanam-do is expected to open this September. This project, which has been underway since 2002 with a total budget of 1.6459 trillion won, will newly connect the Boseong-Imseongri section (82.5 km), which had not been previously opened by rail.
With this opening, the Gyeongjeon Line and Jeolla Line will be directly connected, allowing for non-transfer travel from the southern coast of Jeollanam-do. The six new stations (Sinboseong, Jangdong, Jangheung, Gangjin, Haenam, and Yeongam) will be designed to reflect local characteristics and are planned to be utilized as tourist attractions.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will also expand the installation of artificial intelligence (AI) CCTV at major train stations nationwide to enhance response capabilities to railway crimes. As of the end of last year, 1,552 units had been installed at 101 stations, including KTX and Line 1 of the metropolitan area, with an additional 400 units planned for installation at 30 stations, including the Metropolitan Express Line A (GTX-A) and Suin-Bundang Line, by the end of this year.
AI CCTV automatically detects fights, falls, and suspicious behavior within the station and recognizes the faces and clothing of suspects to respond in real time in coordination with the railway police crime situation room. A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport official noted, 'Using AI CCTV, we have apprehended 135 out of 161 crimes,' adding, 'We will continue to expand the introduction of AI systems for crime prevention and rapid response in railways.'