Incheon launches joint task force to get Seoul Metro Line 7 Cheongna extension back on track

Incheon has formally launched a public-private-government consultative body to get the troubled Seoul Metro Line 7 Cheongna International City extension project back on track, as construction delays and contract disputes continue to hamper progress.

The city held the inaugural plenary session of the consultative body Wednesday at Incheon City Hall, with 36 participants in attendance — including Mayor Park Chan-dae, National Assembly members Kim Gyo-heung and Lee Yong-woo, city council members, residents' representatives, experts and civil servants.

The meeting focused on building a practical response framework to bring forward the line's opening date as much as possible.

The body will operate through four subcommittees: construction management, rolling stock, fiscal and administrative support, and transportation measures.

The construction management subcommittee will closely monitor the current state of works and examine options for shortening the construction timeline.

The rolling stock subcommittee will review the train manufacturing schedule and operational readiness, and discuss how to secure alternative vehicles to meet the target opening date.

The fiscal and administrative support subcommittee will work to ensure timely funding from national and city budgets, while also addressing contract disputes and other conflicts that have arisen during construction.

The transportation measures subcommittee will focus on developing alternative transit options and supplementary measures to ease commuter inconvenience caused by the project delays.

Through the consultative body, the city plans to mediate conflicts over construction progress and contract issues while identifying realistic ways to shorten the timeline and break the current impasse. The project is a key transit initiative drawing significant public attention, the city said, making on-site management and inter-agency cooperation essential to prevent further delays.

"We have laid the groundwork for residents, experts, politicians and administrators to work as one team to resolve the project's challenges," Mayor Park said. "We will actively explore feasible ways to shorten the construction schedule within legal and technical boundaries."