Seoul City will conduct test runs for the extension of Subway Line 8 starting from the 25th, with an opening scheduled for August.

Facility verification test completed for 3 months…Travel time between Jamsil and Byeolnae extension line is 27 minutes

Electric train newly introduced on Line 8
[Provided by Seoul City. Redistribution and DB prohibited]

“(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Ki-hoon = The ‘Subway Line 8 Extension (Byeolnae Line) Project,’ which extends Seoul Subway Line 8 to Namyangju Gyeongchun Line Byeolnae Station, will begin trial operations from the 25th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 23rd.”

“Covering a total distance of 12.9 km with 6 new stations from Amsa Station, the terminus of Line 8, to Byeolnae Station, the project is scheduled to open in August this year.”

“The city has completed facility verification tests for about 3 months to ensure that major railway facilities operate safely and properly when electric trains run at their maximum speed.
Starting from the 25th, the final operational performance of railway facilities and the skill levels of train and station staff will be checked under conditions equivalent to those with actual passengers onboard.”

“When the extension line of Subway Line 8 opens, a total of 30.6 km and 24 stations will be in operation. Travel between Jamsil Station and Byeolnae Station will be possible in just 27 minutes.”

“Moreover, the accessibility to Seoul from the new towns in the northeastern part of the metropolitan area, such as Dasan and Byeolnae, will be drastically improved as they will be able to transfer to Line 2, 3, 5, and 9, Suin Bundang Line, Gyeongui-Jungang Line, and Gyeongchun Line.”

Amsa Park Station concourse
[Provided by Seoul City. Redistribution and DB prohibited]

“The city will deploy 9 sets of electric trains (6 cars per set) to operate the extended Subway Line 8 to Byeolnae Station.”

“The trains will run with intervals of 4.5 minutes during rush hours and 8 minutes during regular hours, with a maximum speed of 80 km/h.”

“The passageway between cabins will be widened by 300 mm (from 900 to 1,200 mm), and the seats will be widened by 30 mm (from 450 to 480 mm) compared to the existing design.”

“In addition, the city has designed Amsa Park Station, which is located in Seoul and unique in the Byeolnae Line section, incorporating the image of Amsa-dong Prehistoric Site and creating a cultural exhibition space with the theme of raindrop-patterned pottery by artist Oh Kyoung-sun.”

“At the entrance of the women’s restroom, an artificial intelligence (AI) gender recognition-based security system is installed for the first time nationwide to protect women.”

“Choi Jin-seok, Director of the Urban Infrastructure Division of Seoul City, said, ‘Trial operation is the final step of a comprehensive test operation for the opening. We will thoroughly check to ensure the safe opening of the Byeolnae Line in August.'”

“kihun@yna.co.kr”