On the 7th, Democratic Party of Korea Seoul mayoral candidate Chong Won-o announced transportation pledges aimed at dramatically cutting Seoul residents' commute times and closing gaps between regions. In particular, he laid out a plan that goes beyond simply expanding the transit network to reorganize the northern side of the Han River into a new hub for living and work.
On the 7th, Chong held a press conference at the National Assembly's press room in Yeouido, Seoul, and said he would create "rail without breaks, development without discrimination, and transportation without borders," unveiling plans for a new Eastern Line and a grid (#) rail network.
Chong first put forward the creation of a new "Eastern Line" that directly links the north and south of the river as his key pledge. The idea is to make it possible to travel from Suyu-dong in the north to the Sports Complex via Seongsu and Cheongdam in under 30 minutes. Chong said, "We will bind the north and south of the river into a single living sphere," adding, "We will dramatically improve Gangnam accessibility for 64,000 households in the eastern area."
He especially emphasized that large residential areas such as Jangwi New Town and Imun-Hwigyeong New Town are excluded from the rail network. Chong said, "The Eastern Line's economic feasibility has currently come out at about 0.8," adding, "If elected, I will immediately begin the groundwork and push it forward."
Chong also presented a plan to convert Seoul's rail network itself from the existing "radial" structure to a "grid" structure linking north-south and east-west. With the Eastern and Western lines as the two main axes, and by linking the Northern Crosstown Line and the Metropolitan Express Railway (GTX)-D line as the vertical axis, he said he would reduce the gap in mobility between Gangnam and the north of the river.
In particular, Chong defined the Northern Crosstown Line as the "University Line." The aim is to bind major universities in the northern area into a single sphere for living and startups. He added, "We will foster the Wangsimni-Cheongnyangni-Sinchon-Hongdae axis into a new business district to create a structure where housing and jobs coexist."
He went on to say, "Cheongnyangni produces 30,000 young people every year, and Sinchon produces more than 20,000," adding, "By creating startup clusters and business districts, we will build an ecosystem where young people can stay and work without moving to Gangnam."
Chong also announced plans to establish metropolitan transfer centers at Yangjae's Meeting Plaza, Seoksu Station, and Hanam Dream Service Area, and to create a new north-south urban expressway network in the northwestern area.
He also unveiled a plan to introduce the "K-Climate Companion Card for All," combining the city's existing Climate Companion Card with the government's K-Pass. The idea is to expand its use beyond Seoul to Gyeonggi, Incheon, and regional areas so it can be used across the greater capital living sphere.