The distance from Yongsan in Seoul to Munsan in Paju is 48.6 kilometers.

It is quite a distance, considering the fact that it is approximately 30 kilometers from the east end to the west end of Seoul.

The news that the entire Gyeongui Line is open is especially exciting for those who commute to work in Seoul from Paju.

Since subway lines were not properly connected to areas in Paju and Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, people had to transfer through Seoul, but now with the opening of the entire Gyeongui Line, direct transportation is possible.

By the way, did you know that it took 25 years to complete the Gyeongui Line?

For the Gyeongui Line, preliminary research and a feasibility study were conducted from 1990 to 1992, the basic and working designs for the roadbed were created from 1996 to 2000, and the double-track installation on the Gyeongui line started in earnest in 1999 as construction of roadbed zone 4 began.

Subsequently, the section connecting Digital Media City Station to Munsan, was opened first in July 2009.

The section from Youngsan to Munsan has been opened gradually with the completion of the 50.6 kilometer section from Digital Media City Station to Munsan Station and the 6.1 kilometer section from Digital Media City Station to Gongdeok Station, and now the entire section is in operation with the opening of the 1.9 kilometer section from Gongdeok to Youngsan.

Due to the opening of the Gyeongui Line, the Gyeongui Jungang Subway Line and the Gyeongui Line can mutually expand operations. In other words, the two lines can run from Paju to Yangpeyong as if they are one and the same, so no transfer is needed.

In addition, the transfer from the Gyeongui Line, bound for Ilsan, to other lines, bound for Gangnam, can be easily made at Oksu Station (Subway Line 3), Ichon Station (Subway Line 4), and Wangsimni Station (Bundang Line).

Furthermore, the traveling time from Munsam to Ichon and from Munsan to Oksu have been reduced from 87 minutes to 67 minutes and from 90 minutes to 75 minutes, respectively. The time it takes from Munsan in Paju to Yongmun in Yangpyeong is also greatly reduced by 30 minutes from 185 minutes to 155 minutes.

With the entire Gyeongui Line in operation, subway service has become more convenient especially for residents of northwestern metropolitan areas and northern Gyeonggi Province.

It has also become more convenient to transfer to metropolitan subway lines such as the Seoul Metropolitan Subway Lines, the Incheon International Airport Railroad, the Gyeongchun Line, and the Bundang Line.

Facilitating the connection to main-line railways such as the Gyeongbu Line, the Honam Line and the Jungang Line, the Gyeongui Line is expected to add greater convenience to public transportation and to support development of local economies. The delightful imagination of establishing advanced bases along the Gyeongui Line is not farfetched anymore.

The entire Gyeongui Line was opened on December 27. The opening ceremony took place at Yongsan Station on December 26, one day before the opening, attended by Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Seo Seung-hwan, Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil, Seoul Mayor Park Won-sun, Korail CEO Choi Yeon-hye, and more.

At the opening ceremony, a presentation was made, reporting that the city-center section in Yongsan-gu and Mapo-gu is underground and that the above ground space has been turned into a park to promote a pleasant environment. This was followed by words of gratitude for citizens who had experienced inconveniences due to the project, and for municipal government officials who had provided support.

Korail CEO Choi Yeon-hye expressed her appreciation for those who worked for the successful completion of the Gyeongui Line. She also said, “The Gyeongui Line will play a significant role in our local economy as the axis of transportation system in the northwestern metropolitan area. I expect that the Gyeongui Line, which connects the east and west sides of the metropolitan area, will help improve the quality of life. We will continue to make improvements and efforts to provide railway services that bring happiness.”

Mayor Park Won-sun offered congratulations on the opening of the Gyeongui Line, saying that he is happy to be part of the historical moment.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyug-pil said he is glad that the long cherished project for residents of northern Gyeonggi Province has been accomplished. He then made the following comments.

“The Gyeongui Line will relieve traffic congestion and offer convenience to residents of northern Gyeonggi Province. It will also help advance the local economy and the tourism industry by connecting the northwestern and eastern parts.

The Gyeongui Line can resolve three issues simultaneously!

After congratulatory remarks, the opening ceremony ended with the official ribbon cutting.

A trial ride followed the opening ceremony.

Luminaries rode in the subway car.

They tried out the line from Yongsan Station to Gongdeok Station, the last section that just opened.

While they were talking about their own experiences with the Gyeongui Line and sharing words of benediction, the train arrived at Gongdeok Station.

The Gyeongui Line will be flexibly operated in consideration of demand with an increased number of express trains during rush hours and for the section from Munsan to Yongsan.

The opening of the entire Gyeongui Line is very welcome news not just because it serves residents of northwestern Gyeonggi Province but also because it runs across from the east to the west side.

In addition, being connected to various subway lines and main-line railways, the Gyeongui Line will help build closer connections with the metropolitan area and contribute to the local economy because it is now easier for residents of the metropolitan area to visit Gyeonggi Province.

All such hopes and goals, of course, are achievable only when ceaseless efforts are continuously made for safe and convenience use of the railways.

The Gyeongiu Line serves numerous Seoul citizens and Gyeonggi Province residents again today from Yongsan to Munsan.

While it takes people from their homes to where they work during weekdays, it will also take people to tourist attractions that are located near many of the sections of the Gyeongui Line during weekends.

How about checking out the many attractions of each section of the Gyeongui Line this weekend?

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