Rail construction linking Saemangeum and major cities in North Jeolla is being pushed forward.
On the 12th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said it finalized and announced the master plan for the "Saemangeum Port access railway construction project."
The railway will connect Daeya in Iksan to the new port in Saemangeum over 48.3 kilometers. A total project cost of 1.5859 trillion won will be invested. The project is set to break ground in the first half of 2028 and open in 2033.
There will be seven stations on the Saemangeum Port rail line. Four will be newly built—Saemangeum International Airport, Waterside City, and the new port rail freight yard among them—and two, Daeya and Gunsan Oksan signal station, will be upgraded for use. The Saemangeum signal station will be reviewed later depending on future train operation plans.
When the railway opens, travel from Iksan to Saemangeum Waterside City by commuter train will be possible in the 36-minute range. An official at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) said, "It will greatly improve travel convenience for residents in the Saemangeum area and employees of corporations, and it will also help invigorate tourism in the Gogunsan Islands."
Yoon Jin-hwan, director general of rail at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), said, "The Saemangeum Port access railway is a key project that combines logistics efficiency with the function of a commuter rail network," adding, "We will do our best to proceed without setbacks and to ensure on-site safety management."