Gyeongsan council calls for fair cost-sharing, route review in Daegu Metro Line 1 extension

The Gyeongsan City Council in North Gyeongsang Province issued a statement Wednesday urging protection of residents' rights and a rational approach to the Daegu Metro Line 1 extension project to Yeongcheon (Geumho).

The council said it supports the extension as necessary for expanding the metropolitan transportation network and promoting balanced regional development, but expressed growing concern that the route and station plan in the current master plan differs in some respects from the original preliminary feasibility study — raising worries about the impact on Gyeongsan residents' transportation convenience, living environment and property rights.

The council also said that because approximately 76 percent of the total 5.72-kilometer extension — about 4.36 kilometers — passes through Gyeongsan, allocating project and future operating costs based solely on route distance could place an excessive fiscal burden on the city. It urged a fair cost-sharing arrangement that accounts for the direct benefits and regional advantages each area receives.

All members of the Gyeongsan City Council called for a rational route review based on the original preliminary feasibility study, measures to protect residents' transportation convenience, living environment and property rights, equitable sharing of project and operating costs reflecting regional benefits, a project approach that puts residents' interests first, and transparent disclosure of the process and cost burdens with sufficient public communication.

Council Speaker Kim In-su said he hopes North Gyeongsang Province and the relevant agencies will fully reflect the voices of Gyeongsan residents, minimize harm to local communities and ensure that benefits and burdens are reasonably balanced across regions.