[Provided by Daegu City]
[Provided by Daegu City]

Daegu city and North Gyeongsang Province attended a comprehensive evaluation by the fiscal investment assessment subcommittee of the Korea Development Institute on Monday, making a strong case for the Daegu–North Gyeongsang metropolitan railway project to clear its preliminary feasibility study.

The project traces its origins to a joint proposal by Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province in 2019. It was incorporated into the Fourth National Railway Network Construction Plan in 2021 and designated as a pilot metropolitan railway project.

After clearing a preliminary review, the project entered the formal preliminary feasibility study process in June 2024 and underwent Monday's comprehensive evaluation.

The planned line would connect downtown Daegu with the Daegu–North Gyeongsang integrated airport and serve as a key north-south metropolitan transport corridor linking the two regions.

By connecting Daegu and major cities in North Gyeongsang Province without transfers, the line would function as a metropolitan express railway placing the entire Daegu–North Gyeongsang area within a one-hour commute.

Authorities expect the line to form an industrial and business transport axis linking advanced industrial complexes across the wider region, particularly in conjunction with the Daegyeong Line that opened at the end of 2024. They also expect it to complete an inland advanced-industry value chain centered on Gumi, making it a key piece of national balanced-development infrastructure.

North Gyeongsang Province and Daegu city have maintained close coordination with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Planning and Budget and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, to make the case for the project's alignment with national policy and its necessity.

Local communities have also rallied behind the effort through petition drives and signature campaigns. In February, the heads of six local governments in the Daegu–North Gyeongsang area jointly signed a letter of recommendation in support of the project.

Following Monday's subcommittee evaluation, the project will be referred to the fiscal assessment committee, whose deliberation and vote will determine whether it ultimately passes the preliminary feasibility study.

North Gyeongsang Province and Daegu city officials used Monday's session to press evaluation committee members on the project's necessity and urgency, formally requesting approval.

North Gyeongsang Governor Lee Cheol-woo said the railway expansion would "accelerate economic integration and megacity development in the Daegu–North Gyeongsang region and lead national balanced development centered on the five-pole, three-special Daegyeong area."

Daegu Mayor Choo Kyung-ho said he would "do everything possible until the very end to ensure the Daegu–North Gyeongsang metropolitan railway passes its preliminary feasibility study," adding that he would continue to visit central government ministries and the National Assembly in person to explain regional issues and pursue solutions for the area's development.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com