Wonju city said Thursday that the second regular meeting of the ninth-term Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Mayors and County Chiefs Council, held at Gangneung City Hall, adopted a joint petition calling on the government to fully allocate state funds for the Yeoju-Wonju double-track railway construction project.
The petition urges the government and the National Assembly to include the full 293 billion won ($221 million) in state funding needed in 2027 to ensure the project is completed on schedule in 2028.
The Yeoju-Wonju double-track railway is a key rail project linking the greater Seoul metropolitan area with Gangwon Province, covering a total distance of 22.171 kilometers.
The total project cost stands at 1.09 trillion won, to be funded entirely by the state, with a target completion date of December 2028.
Once completed, the line is expected to improve rail access between southern Greater Seoul and the Yeongseo region and east coast of Gangwon Province, while significantly enhancing residents of central and southern Gangwon Province's access to the capital area via Wonju.
The bulk of the project budget is earmarked for railway systems work — including track, power, communications and signaling — following the completion of earthworks. If the full 293 billion won required in 2027 is not secured, subsequent construction phases could face delays, raising concerns about higher material and labor costs from an extended construction period as well as inconvenience for local residents.
The Gangwon Mayors and County Chiefs Council also called for the restoration of project funding that had been cut during the budget review process.
Wonju said it plans to use the joint petition as an opportunity to publicize the urgency of securing state funds and the importance of the project, and to continue working with relevant agencies to keep the project on track.
"The Yeoju-Wonju double-track railway is an important national rail project that will connect the greater Seoul area and Gangwon Province into a single lifestyle and economic zone, broadening the foundation for regional growth," Wonju Mayor Ku Ja-yeol said. "We will continue to work to ensure the full state funding needed is secured so that residents can enjoy real transportation benefits when the line opens on schedule in 2028."
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