Mapo District has urged the addition of a DMC transfer station on the "Daejang–Hongdae Line," which connects Daejang District in Bucheon, Gyeonggi, to Hongik Univ. Station in Seoul. Because it was included in the initial project plan and then removed, the district said it is prepared to sue the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport if the request is not accepted.
On the 17th, Mapo District Chief Park Kang-su held a press conference at Sangyeonjae in Jung District, Seoul, and said, "The groundbreaking for the Daejang–Hongdae Line was carried out unilaterally without official consultations between the project operator and the relevant basic local governments."
The Daejang–Hongdae Line is a 20.1-kilometer metropolitan rail project linking Daejang New Town in Bucheon and Hongik Univ. Station. It will build 12 stations and one rail yard, with a total project cost of 2.1287 trillion won. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on the 15th, and construction has begun.
Mapo District said it has requested the addition of a DMC Station through various channels, but the groundbreaking proceeded without reflecting this request.
Park said, "We have consistently called for the addition of a DMC Station from the review stage of the 3rd National Rail Network Plan in 2016 through its inclusion in the 4th National Rail Network Plan in 2021," adding, "In March 2023, we consulted with the Seoul Metropolitan Council and the Seoul City Transportation Policy Division; in May, with the Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT); and in August, we met with the chair of the Metropolitan Transport Commission."
Park added, "We continued consultations last year and this year with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and we submitted an official opinion to MOLIT demanding the addition of a DMC Station."
Mapo District is also reviewing legal action. Park said, "We are currently in the process of retaining an attorney, and if the request is not accepted, we plan to pursue legal action against the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT)."
Some argue that to add a DMC Station, Mapo District and the Seoul Metropolitan Government should bear the expense. Under the "cost causer pays" approach, if Mapo District and the city each shoulder about 80 billion won, the station could be installed. The cost causer pays approach requires the party that caused additional expenses during development to pay.
On this, Park countered, "DMC Station is not a simple local convenience facility but a metropolitan transfer station that benefits the entire western area," saying, "The state, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and Gyeonggi Province should step up to resolve it."
Park continued, "It raises suspicion that Hyundai E&C excluded the DMC Station to avoid the 'cost causer pays' expense," adding, "Since Hyundai E&C caused the problem, Hyundai E&C should bear the expense."