Seoul's Ambitious Underground Railway Project

On October 23, 2023, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced an ambitious project to convert all railways in the city into underground structures, creating an urban park similar to New York's Central Park. This large-scale initiative involves relocating approximately 71.6 km of existing railways underground and is projected to last for 20 years, fostering a blend of green spaces and mixed-use developments. However, the plan is met with considerable challenges, including the massive budget estimated at 25 trillion won and concerns regarding safety and increased traffic congestion due to the large-scale construction efforts. Critic Kim Jun-il has pointed to past controversies surrounding Oh Se-hoon's previous projects, emphasizing the need to prioritize citizens' interests in the planning process. Additionally, the ongoing suspicions tied to the 'Great Whale' project, a controversy that highlights resource development issues in South Korea, adds another layer of political complexity to the situation. As the city continues to face public unease regarding the implications of this extensive development, scrutiny of the mayor's past performance and the anticipated political fallout remains a critical point of discussion.