Lawmaker calls for review of Daegu Metro Line 1 extension route to Yeongcheon

A call has been made to reconsider the planned route for the Daegu Metro Line 1 extension to Yeongcheon (Geumho).

According to the North Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly, Assembly member Woo Young-bong used a five-minute free-speech slot during a plenary session of the regular assembly session Thursday to argue that the route for the Daegu Metro Line 1 Yeongcheon extension "was drawn based on budget, not residents." He said the route should be reviewed with residents' lifestyle, environment, education and safety as the primary criteria.

Woo said the project passed a preliminary feasibility study in January 2024 with a budget of 234.1 billion won ($174 million), but costs rose 26 percent to 294.5 billion won at the basic planning stage. When the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport asked that the increase be trimmed to around 15 percent, North Gyeongsang Province shifted the stations and alignment at Hayang and Geumho northward, bringing the project cost down to 267.1 billion won.

He also cited the province's draft strategic environmental impact assessment, which found the route would pass about 24 meters from Gyedang Elementary School and about 41 meters from an apartment complex in Hayang's Geumnak-ri. The assessment identified a need for noise and vibration mitigation measures, he said.

"Noise levels exceeding the standard were predicted at 12 locations, including Gyedang Elementary School, yet North Gyeongsang Province has deferred all resident concerns and noise and vibration countermeasures to the detailed design phase," Woo said.

He argued that finalizing the route first and addressing problems later was "the wrong order." He noted that the door to a review remained open given that North Gyeongsang Province Governor Lee Cheol-woo had in August directed officials to examine ways to minimize harm to residents, including exploring the use of the existing Daegu Line.

"It is fine if it takes more time or costs more money," Woo said. "What Gyeongsan residents want is not a fast opening but a proper route. I hope we build a railway that coexists with residents, not just one that is built quickly."