Seoul Subway Line 6

Overview

The route connects Eunpyeong-gu and Jungnang-gu in a U-shaped manner, running through Yongsan-gu and Seongbuk-gu. It does not cross over the Han River. It is mainly used to connect to the outskirts of Seoul and to relieve the traffic on other lines.

The line primarily operates in the section between Eungam and Bonghwasan. When a train arrives at Eungam, it runs through what is commonly known as the "Eungam Loop", a one-way operation loop of stations. After going through the stations of the Eungam Loop in an anti-clockwise direction, the train reaches Eungam again, from which it continues to Bonghwasan. Currently, commuter trains of the Seoul Metro 6000 EMU series run on the line.

The line started construction in 1994. A short section of the line from Bonghwasan to Sangwolgok opened in August 2000 while the remaining section opened in December of the same year. However, it was not until March 2001 that the whole line was fully operational when the four stations from Itaewon to Yaksu were opened.

Upon the opening of the electrified Gyeongchun Line in December 2010, Seoul Metro made plan to extend the line 1 km eastward to connect to the Gyeongchun Line at a new Sinnae Station, located near the current Sinnae Depot.

In March 2016, a proposal to launch an express service on Line 6 was announced.

Tourism

In January 2013, the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation, which operates this line, published free guidebooks in three languages: English, Japanese and Chinese (simplified and traditional), which features eight tours as well as recommendations for accommodations, restaurants and shopping centers. These were distributed from information centers on this line. The tours are designed with different themes for travel along the subway lines, e.g. Korean traditional culture, which goes from Jongno 3-ga Station to Anguk Station and Gyeongbokgung Station on line No 3 that showcases antique shops and art galleries of Insa-dong.