Since its opening in September 1946 in Jeongneung-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Kookmin University has made various academic achievements in the humanities and social sciences. Its programs in automotive engineering, architecture, and design are recognized worldwide. In recent years, the university has increased its support for science and engineering, and the fields of software engineering and artificial intelligence engineering have grown by leaps and bounds. These are not the achievements of Kookmin University alone.

This is because universities contribute to community development and urban growth by sharing tangible and intangible resources such as knowledge, educational and research capabilities, and facilities with the local community. This is why universities in Seongbuk-gu, including Kookmin University, Dongdeok Women's University, Seokkyung University, and Hansung University, have signed a 'Seongbuk Cluster' agreement with the city and are working together for mutual benefit.

Universities in Seongbuk-gu join forces for regional mutual benefit

In that sense, Kookmin University wants to join the aspirations of Seongbuk-gu and Jeongneung-dong residents for the 'Gangbuk Crossing Line' and the voices calling for its speedy reopening. Of the eight universities in Seongbuk-gu, two are located in Jeongneung-dong and three are adjacent. One university in Jongno-gu is also located in the neighborhood, making it a youth-driven area.

However, this power is not being properly utilized. This is largely due to the fact that Jongno-gu is one of the most underserved areas in Seoul, lacking subway stations. Traffic in the area, which relies solely on roads, is often congested and inconvenient for residents. The 18,000 students enrolled in Kookmin University's 14 colleges spend more than two hours commuting from the northwestern part of Seoul. They have to waste their study energy commuting. This is not only an inconvenience for KU students. It is a local reality for local youth who are unable to focus their growth energy.

The stagnation of the Jeongneung area, despite its beautiful natural environment, rich historical and cultural resources, and the potential of young people, says it all. Therefore, the expectations and aspirations of KU students, as well as voices for the reopening of the Gangbuk Transit Line, which runs through Jeongneung, Seongbuk-gu, Pyeongchang, Jongno-gu, Seodaemun-gu, Mapo-gu, Gangseo-gu, and Mokdong Station, Yangcheon-gu, are very high.

However, the project failed to pass the Ministry of Strategy and Finance's preliminary examination in June. The reason is that the economic feasibility is low. This is a result of the deletion of the regional balanced development item from the three evaluation items of economic feasibility, policy feasibility, and regional balanced development, and the increase of the economic feasibility item to 70%. As a result, it is difficult to pass the prequalification in the metropolitan area with the current evaluation method.

The prequalification method that does not reflect the reality of the metropolitan area needs to be revised

Convenient transportation offers countless opportunities and development possibilities for the region and its people. The opportunities for young people, who will lead the future of the region, will be even more endless. The region's educational competitiveness is a virtuous circle with economic development. In addition to our own youth, the number of international students coming to study automotive engineering, architecture, and design at the globally recognized Kookmin University is growing rapidly every year.

Seoul, a megacity that can no longer expand, must now turn its attention to and invest in areas with potential to sustain growth. The current pre-feasibility study methodology, which does not reflect reality and fails to provide opportunities for more young people, needs to be revised. We call for a swift re-proposal of the Gangbuk Transit Line, which will connect the east and west sides of Gangbuk, Seoul, and create opportunities for young people.

The project should be on schedule to alleviate the inconvenience of young people who waste their learning energy commuting to school and cannot focus their energy on growth. We hope that policy decisions will be made from a pioneering perspective for the next generation with an eye to the future, not just the economic feasibility of the moment.

JEONG, SEUNG RYUL, President, Kookmin University

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• Source Tomorrow Shin