Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province operates a situation room for emergency transportation measures in response to the railway union strike on December 5. Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province announced that it will operate an emergency transport response situation room from December 5 (Thursday) in preparation for the general strike of the Korea Railroad workers’ Union (hereinafter referred to as the Railroad Workers’ union).
the railroad union began an indefinite general strike on December 5, and accordingly, in conjunction with the government’s emergency transportation headquarters, it plans to support the preparation and operation of increased intercity buses as an option means of transportation for residents to travel long distances. The emergency transportation situation room will operate until the end of the railroad union strike to minimize transportation inconvenience to residents and support logistics transportation.
The number of train operations on the Gyeongchun Line, Gangneung Line, and Taebaek-Yeongdong Line sections in the province operated by the Korea railroad Corporation is expected to decrease by about 30% compared to normal times.
currently, intercity buses traveling from the province to the metropolitan area are Chuncheon - Seoul (61 times), Yeongdong area (Samcheok, Donghae, Gangneung) – Seoul (20 times), Yeongdong area (Samcheok, Donghae, Gangneung) – Gyeonggi area (Icheon, Bucheon) ‧Pyeongtaek) (12 times), Taebaek‧Wonju~Seoul (66 times), and trains are operated. It is indeed expected that there will be no major inconvenience due to the decrease,but daily monitoring will be conducted on the relevant routes,and if the number of users increases by more than 50% compared to before the strike,spare vehicles from each intercity bus company will be mobilized to operate additional buses more than 35 times to avoid inconvenience to residents. is planned to be minimized.
In addition, for intra-provincial cargo transportation, we cooperated with cargo transportation companies to consider volume transportation plans to ensure smooth logistics transportation, and requested cooperation with the freight association to deploy alternative transportation vehicles when necesary.
gangwon Special Self-Governing Province kept in mind that during the railway union strike period, train operations might potentially be reduced compared to usual, making it difficult to use trains on time, and requested residents using trains to check train operation data in advance thru the KORAIL website or mobile app. .
Choi Bong-yong, head of the Construction and Transportation Department of Gangwon Special self-Governing Province, said, “We will operate an emergency transportation situation room until the end of the railroad union strike, and through constant monitoring, we will thoroughly prepare to respond step by step if an increase in intercity bus operation or an increase in cargo transportation capacity is necessary in accordance with the railroad operation situation. “we will minimize the inconvenience to residents of the province,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gangwon Special Self-governing Province announced that it had decided on the 2025 Gangwon-do sustainability assessment plan at the regular meeting of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Lasting Growth Committee held at the provincial office on December 5.
The sustainability evaluation system assesses the implementation status of sustainable development indicators based on Articles 15 and 16 of the Framework Act on Sustainable Development and Articles 8, 9, and 10 of the Gangwon-do Basic Ordinance on sustainable Development. This is a system that evaluates the sustainability of the provincial government by inspecting it every two years. This evaluation focuses on analyzing the implementation status of 95 sustainable development indicators and predicting whether future goals will be achieved.
In particular, evaluation includes diagnosis of the indicator itself, and indicators that are unsuitable for achieving the goal may be redefined, deleted, changed, or replaced. In addition,the committee plans to prepare a sustainable development evaluation report based on the evaluation results and announce it through the Gangwon Special self-Governing Province website.
At this meeting, a sustainability preliminary review plan for major administrative plans of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province was also decided. The sustainability preliminary review system is a system that checks whether major administrative plans to be promoted by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province comply with the 17 Sustainable Development goals (SDGs). Administrative plans selected for prior review are reviewed by the committee near the completion of the draft,and the plan’s promotion department can also participate in this process.
The Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Sustainable Development committee is comprised of experts in various fields such as economy,society,and surroundings for the sustainable development of the province,and performs functions such as deliberation,advice,and sustainability evaluation on the province’s sustainable development policy.there is. Following the resolution of the sustainability assessment plan and administrative plan preliminary review plan, the roles and activities of committee members are expected to become more significant from 2025.
Sustainable Development Committee Co-Chairman Kim In-ho (Professor at Kangwon National University), who presided over the meeting, said, “This is a task that must include not only the problems we live in today, but also concerns about future generations,” and added, “We will pursue this with a sense of duty together with the various committee members.” “We will help realize a ‘sustainable future industrial global city.’”
Economy queen Reporter Choi Hana
What measures can residents take to adapt to reduced train services during the railway strike?
Time.news Interview with Dr. Seung-Jo Kim,Transportation Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good morning, Dr.Kim. thank you for joining us today. As you know, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province has activated a situation room in response to the ongoing railway union strike. What are your initial thoughts on how this situation may impact residents?
Dr. Seung-Jo kim (DJK): Good morning! It’s a pleasure to be here. The decision by Gangwon Province to set up an emergency transport response situation room is crucial. The railway strike starting on December 5 is going to affect many commuters and logistics operations, and having a centralized plan to manage transportation options is a commendable step to minimize inconvenience.
TNE: You mentioned that the strike will lead to a notable reduction in train operations—up to 30% on several key lines. How will this reduction affect daily travel for residents?
DJK: The reduction in train services will certainly create challenges for residents who rely on rail travel for thier daily commutes, especially those traveling to the metropolitan areas. While the province is increasing intercity bus services, it may still result in longer travel times and potential overcrowding on buses.It’s essential for residents to plan their journeys accordingly and stay updated with the latest transportation options.
TNE: The province plans to run additional buses if user demand increases considerably. How effective do you think this proactive strategy will be in alleviating the situation?
DJK: The strategy of deploying additional buses is a solid one. By monitoring user levels daily and mobilizing extra vehicles if necessary, they can better accommodate increased passenger volume. Though, the key will be the ability of the bus operators to respond quickly and efficiently. Interaction with the public will also be vital for keeping residents informed about real-time changes.
TNE: There’s also mention of cooperation with cargo transportation companies to ensure logistics are maintained. How critical is this aspect during the strike?
DJK: Very critical. Freight transportation plays an significant role in the economy, and any disruption can have a ripple effect on supply chains. By working with cargo companies to devise volume transportation plans and deploying choice vehicles when necessary, Gangwon Province is taking the right approach to ensure that goods continue moving despite the strike.
TNE: As an expert in transportation, what recommendations woudl you give to residents during this uncertain period?
DJK: I would recommend that residents stay well-informed through official announcements from the province and transport agencies. It’s wise to have alternative routes or modes of transport in mind, be it intercity buses or carpooling options. Moreover, adaptability in travel times can help them avoid peak hours, wich may be particularly congested as everyone adapts to the altered transport situation.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Kim, for your insights during this challenging time. With the situation still evolving,will you be following this closely?
DJK: Absolutely. Transportation dynamics like this are always in flux, and I believe it’s essential to continuously analyze the effectiveness of the measures being implemented. I appreciate the prospect to discuss this critically important issue, and I hope for a swift resolution to the strike.
TNE: thank you once again for your time and valuable expertise, Dr. Kim.We look forward to your continued insights on this topic.