Gwanak-gu has delivered a petition signed by more than 42,000 residents to the central government, calling for swift progress on the Nangok Line light rail project as it awaits the outcome of a preliminary feasibility study.
District officials visited the Ministry of Planning and Budget at Government Complex Sejong on Wednesday to hand over the petition, which expresses residents' support for measures to improve the project's economic viability and their desire to see the line built.
During the visit, officials explained the need for the Nangok Line and the strong public interest it has generated, and asked the ministry for its active cooperation in ensuring the feasibility study proceeds smoothly.
Gwanak-gu conducted the signature drive over two weeks in June, using both online and in-person channels. By distributing QR codes and paper sign-up sheets to encourage participation from residents, workers and students alike, the district collected a total of 42,139 signatures.
This was the second time the district has personally delivered residents' wishes to the government regarding the Nangok Line, following a similar visit last year. In 2025, Gwanak-gu ran three separate signature campaigns to build support for measures to boost ridership demand and economic feasibility, gathering 54,056 signatures in total. District Mayor Park Jun-hee and resident representatives then visited the Ministry of Economy and Finance on Dec. 15, 2025, to submit that petition and urge the government to pass the feasibility study and move quickly on the project.
Combined with this year's fourth signature drive, a cumulative total of more than 96,000 people across all four campaigns have expressed support for fast-tracking the Nangok Line. The sustained participation over two years reflects the community's strong commitment to seeing the project through.
The Nangok Line is a planned 4.08-kilometer underground light rail line running from Boramae Park Station to Nanhyang-dong. It has long been a priority project for Gwanak-gu, aimed at relieving chronic transportation inconvenience in the Nangok area.
District Mayor Park also attended a public hearing on Seoul's urban rail network development plan alongside residents on July 29, where he stressed the urgency of advancing the Nangok Line. The preliminary feasibility study is currently underway, with results expected in December.
Gwanak-gu said it will use the petition delivery as an opportunity to again convey the community's strong resolve to the government, and will continue working with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and relevant agencies until the feasibility study is concluded.
"This petition carries the hopes of more than 42,000 residents who want to see the Nangok Line built as soon as possible," District Mayor Park said. "With a total of more than 96,000 residents having joined the effort, we will do our utmost — working closely with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and all relevant agencies — to ensure the Nangok Line passes the preliminary feasibility study and those hopes become reality."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com