Seoul - Subway Map

Korail (Korea Railroad, formerly Korean National Railroad) operates line 1 (except from Seoul station to Cheongnyangni), Ilsan line (line 3 north of Jichuk; now depicted as line 3), Gwacheon and Ansan lines (line 4 south of Namtaeryeong; not depicted as line 4) and the Bundang line.

In the 1990's, Seoul has carried out probably the world's most ambitious subway extension program adding 160 km of new lines to the network. This included the extension of former lines 2, 3 and 4 (15 km) and 4 totally new lines of which line 5 is 52 km long (including both eastern branches). New maps also include Incheon's first subway line which is linked to the Seoul subway network via Line 1.

Line 1 was built 1971-1974 and opened 15 Aug 1974, crosses central business district, directly linked to Korail Kyoungbu, Kyongin (68.5km) and Kyongwon (31.2km) lines. Originally shown on maps in red it is now the dark blue line together with several Korail branches which are operated jointly. Like other Korail lines, this line is operated on the left.

On 16 Dec 2005, the Yongsan - Hoegi branch via Oksu was separated from Line 1 and extended on a new route east to Dokseo.

Line 2 was built 1978-1984 together with the Seongsu - Sinseol-dong branch, the second branch Sindorim - Kkachisan was built 1989-1993. Dangsan bridge was closed for reconstruction in 1996 and reopened on 22 November 1999. The old steel girder bridge was substituted by a 1.3 km long concrete bridge between Dangsan station on the southern side of the river and Hapjeong on the northern bank. Headways on the line can now be reduced to 30 seconds, off peak intervals 5-6 min. The line connects the city centre to Gangnam (south shore), the second city centre.

Line 3 was built 1980-1993 and connects north-western end of Seoul to city centre and Gangnam. Through operation on Korail Ilsan line (right-hand running) from Jichuk to Daehwa.

Line 4 was built 1980-1994 and connects the densely populated northeast to the south via old city centre. From Namtaeryeong it is linked to the Korail Gwacheon Line to Ansan.

Line 5 was built 1990-1996 and is an important east - west link including Gimpo International Airport and the Youido business area.

Line 6 opened its first section 7 Aug 2000: Bonghwasan - Sangwolgok 4 km. On 15 Dec. 2000 the remaining section (27 km) was also put into service although 4 stations in central Seoul had not been finished by then (Itaewon - Yaksu). These stations were finally operable on 9 March 2001, which concluded the ambitious expansion programme carried out in the 1990's. The transfer corridor at Singdang (to Line 2) did not open until 3 Aug. 2001.

Line 7 was built 1990-1996 (Jangam - Konkuk Univ.) and was finished 1 August 2000 (central section 17 km Konkuk University - Sinpung). The western section between Sinpung and Onsu was put into service on 29 Feb 2000. This north - south line does not run through the city centre but links Gangnam directly to the northern parts of town.

Line 8 was built 1990-1999 and mainly serves the south-eastern parts of Seoul and the satellite city of Songnam. Jamsil to Amsa opened 2 July 1999.

Bundang Line (K2) - Subway Line operated by Korail from Seonneung to Ori, extended from Suseo to Seolleung in Sept. 2003. Guryong station added 24 Oct 2004.