Still Not Finished: Subway Line 2 Delays Continue

By Saqib Sharif

The prolonged delay of Gwangju Subway Line 2 has become one of the city’s most pressing urban issues, repeatedly disrupting daily life while placing increasing pressure on municipal finances.

Phase 1 began in 2019 with an original completion target of late 2023. However, as of mid-2025, progress has barely reached 80 percent, prompting officials to push the possible operational date to 2027. Unexpected ground reinforcement, extended utility relocations, and frequent neighborhood complaints about noise and vibration have forced work-hour restrictions and stoppages, compounding the delays.

Daily life is being disrupted across multiple fronts. Construction has narrowed street lanes and blocked key roads, causing severe traffic congestion during rush hours. Bus drivers find their vehicles frequently damaged by uneven temporary roads, while taxi drivers complain of longer waiting times, rough rides, and growing passenger dissatisfaction. Businesses along construction routes suffer declining foot traffic as sidewalks become obstructed and pedestrians contend with heavy machinery operating dangerously close.

During the 334th extraordinary session of the Gwangju City Council on July 15, Councilor Lim Mi-ran sharply criticized the stalled Subway Line 2 project, describing it as plagued by “repeated failures” in both planning and execution. “The Urban Railway Line 2 construction project is not just facing delays, it is suffering from consistently poor performance in its planning and overall progress,” Lim said. She noted that more than 3,100 civil complaints had been filed to date, underscoring the project’s direct negative impact on residents’ daily lives.

Lim further warned that the city’s task force to address citizen grievances risks becoming a mere formality. She also expressed concern about the financial burden, pointing out that the total project cost has risen more than 80 percent from its original estimate, significantly increasing the likelihood of greater reliance on local government funds and municipal bonds.

“Restoring confldence may now be harder than flnishing the subway itself.”

In response to mounting criticism, Mayor Kang Gi-jung held a public “citizen’s report meeting” at the Sansu Intersection in Dong-gu, attended by residents, local council members, and district officials. At the event, the city announced it would begin sequentially reopening roads where pavement and maintenance are complete, starting with Pilmun-daero between Jisan Intersection and Sansu Intersection. This stretch has been expanded from four to eight lanes by removing temporary barriers and barricades.

The city plans to open approximately 2.4 km of roads this month, including key sections such as Sangmu Jungang-ro (near the BYC Building), Geumhwa-ro (in front of the World Cup Stadium), Daenam-daero (near the Gwangju Agricultural Cooperative facility in Bongseon- dong), and areas around Gwangju FC Stadium. Additional openings are slated for early next year following consultations with the National Police Agency to ensure safe traffic restoration. Mayor Kang emphasized, “This road opening is the first step toward resolving citizen inconvenience,” and “We will work to improve the transportation environment and promote civic happiness by completing the construction safely and quickly.”

The project’s budget has nearly doubled. What was once estimated at 1.74 trillion won in 2011 has ballooned to 3.14 trillion won by 2025, marking an 80 percent increase. Gwangju City’s share now exceeds 1.2 trillion won, raising concerns about mounting municipal debt and municipal bond repayment burdens. Delays in securing national government funding have further exacerbated financial strains. City council members and civic watchdogs argue that repeated setbacks and ballooning costs have damaged public trust, some even contend that “restoring confidence may now be harder than finishing the subway itself.”

Originally envisioned as a project to usher in a new era of mobility for Gwangju, Subway Line 2 has faced many challenges that have tested both the city and its residents. Yet with road reopening now underway and renewed commitments from city leaders, there is still an opportunity to turn frustration into progress. If the city can deliver on its promises and see the project through, the subway may yet become a symbol of resilience and a stepping stone toward a more connected and livable Gwangju.