Line 7
Construction on Line 7 started in 1990. It does not run through the city center but links Gangnam to the northern parts of Seoul. It crosses the Han River between Ttukseom Resort and Cheongdam. Its color is olive.
The line opened on October 11, 1996, with service between Jangam and Konkuk University.
A news broadcast from the line's opening.
On February 29, 2000, the section between Sinpung and Onsu opened. On August 1 of that same year, the section between Sinpung and Konkuk University opened, rendering the line fully operational.
By 안양역(ksrt6848@naver.com) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22409258
Isu Station Naming Controversy
When Line 4 was in planning, the original name for Isu Station was meant to be Isu. However, Chongshin University donated a significant sum of money to have the station renamed. So, the station was renamed to 총신대입구 (literally translates to Chongshin University Entrance).
However, the station is quite far from the actual university. There are several instances like this in the entire system. One rather infamous example is Seoul National University Station on Line 2.
When Line 7 opened, Chongshin University became a transfer station. With this new line, it became clear that Namseong Station was much closer to the university than the one on Line 4. So, it was renamed to Namseong (Chongshin Univ.) and the old Chongshin University Station was renamed to its original name of Isu.
Soon after, the university sued Seoul Metro because it wanted to advertise on a transfer station. One of the reasons the suit cited was Seoul National University Station, and how it has not been renamed despite being a 40-minute walk from the actual university (it still retains its name today).
The university lost its case, but the name change was reverted due to the violent nature of the university's protest. So, Isu Station is the only station in the entire system to have a different name between lines, being Chongshin Univ. Entrance (Isu) on Line 4 and Isu (Chongshin Univ. Entrance) on Line 7.
The Cheongdam Bridge. This was the first "duplex bridge" in Korea, being able to handle both motor and train traffic. Trains travel on a separate level underneath the motorway.
On October 27, 2012, a 10.2 km extension from Onsu to Bupyeong-gu Office (which provided a transfer with Incheon Subway Line 1) opened, completing the current Line 7.
All stations on the line feature screen doors.
Westbound trains terminate either at Onsu or Bupyeong-gu Office. Northbound trains usually terminate at Suraksan or Dobongsan. Very few trains terminate at Jangam, as it has the lowest ridership of all Line 7 stations. It is the only station located outside the northern limits of Seoul. Much of its demand comes on weekends, when people come to hike on nearby Mt. Surak.
The current line is 57.1 km (35.5 mi) long. All track is on the right-hand side.
There are depots at Dobong and Cheonwang.
LCD announcements from Bupyeong-gu Office to Dobongsan.
Video exploring Jangam Station and the surrounding area. There are English captions, but they are not exactly accurate.
There are several extensions currently underway for Line 7:
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A two-station, 3.94 km extension past Bupyeong-gu Office to Seongnam, providing a transfer with Incheon Subway Line 2. Sangok and Seongnam will open in April 2021. This section will be operated by the Incheon Transportation Corporation.
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A further seven-station extension past Seongnam all the way to Cheongna International City. This section is not expected to open until 2027. The extension would allow transfers to the Airport Railroad (AREX) at Cheongna International City.
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A two-phase extension to the north past Jangam:
-The first phase will consist of three stations, Tapseok, Goeup, and Okjeong. This phase will open in 2024. Transfers to the Uijeongbu LRT will be available at Tapseok.
-The second phase will also consist of three stations, Soheul, Daejin University, and Pocheon. This phase is still in planning, expected to open by 2028.
First generation Seoul Metro 7000-series train 7-07.
From https://namu.wiki/w/%ED%8C%8C%EC%9D%BC:20190219113406_IMG_3220.jpg
Seoul Metro SR-Series train 7-68 (SR005).
By jmk2765 - file history of SMRT EMU SR002.jpg (original text: self made)2015-03-29 18:26 Jmk2765 900 × 599 (194 KB) New photo, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39285283
You can read more about the trains running on this line here.
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