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Busan Metro Jeonggwan Line Clears Preliminary Feasibility Study, Set to Transform East Busan’s Transit Map

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that the preliminary feasibility study (PFS) for the construction of the Busan Metro Jeonggwan Line, a long-cherished project in eastern Busan and a core piece of infrastructure, was finally approved today (the 12th) by the Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Busan Metropolitan City has concentrated all its capabilities to advance the Jeonggwan Line as part of expanding the metropolitan living area.

Busan Metropolitan City selected the Jeonggwan Line as a key pledge of the 8th 민선 administration to ease traffic congestion in Jeonggwan New Town and surrounding areas and to expand the metropolitan living area by strengthening a circular transit network linked to metropolitan railways and urban railways, and focused its administrative capacity on clearing the first major hurdle—passing the PFS.

The Jeonggwan Line faced difficult conditions for approval during the government’s PFS process, including concerns over insufficient economic feasibility and limited benefits. However, Busan Metropolitan City supplemented the project plan through two inspection meetings with the government (KDI and the Ministry of Economy and Finance) and pursued a response strategy centered on comprehensive evaluation (AHP) that holistically reflects policy impacts and regional balanced development effects.

On January 15, at the AHP comprehensive evaluation held by the Jeonggwan Line subcommittee at the Korea Development Institute (KDI) in Sejong City, Busan Metropolitan City presented the necessity and policy effectiveness of the project and, in particular, actively explained its commitment to 추진 of the Jeonggwan Line to the committee members.

The Jeonggwan Line will not only resolve transportation inconvenience in Gijang-gun, which has not previously been served by urban rail, but will also build a circular rail network in eastern Busan through transfers with the Busan–Yangsan–Ulsan Metropolitan Railway and the Donghae Line, thereby forming a metropolitan economic zone spanning Busan, Yangsan, and Ulsan and serving as a core public transportation facility connecting 생활권 areas under “15-Minute City Busan.”

The Jeonggwan Line is planned to (1) connect 13 stations along a 12.8 km route from Wolpyeong-ri, Jeonggwan-eup, Gijang-gun, via Jeonggwan New Town, to Jwacheon Station on the Donghae Line; (2) establish a transfer system with two lines—the Busan–Yangsan–Ulsan Metropolitan Railway and the Donghae Line; (3) operate as a new mode of transport, a street-running tram; and (4) have a total project cost of KRW 479.4 billion.

Busan Metro Jeonggwan Line

• ●Project period: 2023–2032

• ●Route: Wolpyeong-ri, Jeonggwan-eup, Gijang-gun–Jeonggwan New Town–Jwacheon Station (Donghae Line)

• ●Scale: Tram line length 12.8 km; 13 stations; 1 depot, etc.

• ●Project cost: KRW 479.4 billion (National funds: KRW 227.6 billion; City funds: KRW 151.8 billion; Gijang-gun: KRW 100.0 billion)

To accelerate construction of the Jeonggwan Line, Busan Metropolitan City plans to launch feasibility assessment and basic planning services within the first half of this year.

Busan Metropolitan City reflected KRW 1.0 billion in the 2026 main budget for the feasibility assessment and the establishment of the basic plan for the Jeonggwan Line.

After completing the basic plan, Busan Metropolitan City will proceed with administrative procedures, begin construction in 2028, and target opening in 2032.

Mayor Park Heong-joon said, “Following the opening of the ‘Mandeok–Centum Deep Underground Road,’ which connects the east and west of Busan in 10 minutes, we secured the passage of the private investment feasibility review for the ‘Next-Generation Busan-type Express Railway (BuTX)’ project linking Gadeokdo New Airport to North Port in 15 minutes, and confirmed the ‘Bansong Tunnel’ as a government project to improve congested roads, cutting travel time from central Busan to eastern Busan by as much as 30 minutes. And today, with the Jeonggwan Line clearing the PFS, we have laid the groundwork for innovation that will dramatically improve Busan’s transportation.”

He added, “The Busan Metro Jeonggwan Line, which connects the Busan–Yangsan–Ulsan Metropolitan Railway and the Donghae Line, is a key project that will complete our circular rail network in eastern Busan and realize industrial development across the southeastern region by forming the ultra-wide Buul-Gyeong economic zone. It will operate as an eco-friendly, catenary-free tram, and by combining with local tourism products, festivals, and commercial districts, it will also contribute to revitalizing the local economy and enhancing the city’s brand.”

He emphasized, “We will concentrate our administrative capabilities to ensure the Busan Metro Jeonggwan Line construction project proceeds without setbacks, and Busan Metropolitan City will do its utmost with a responsible stance until transportation policies that guarantee citizens’ mobility rights and help Busan, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Ulsan develop into a single living area are fully realized.”