Hi, I'm Han!
I'm majoring in Computer Education, and I'm someone who truly loves traveling.
I love traveling around the world. Adelaide, Australia was great time to travel. I spent two weeks there as virtually the only Asian in the area, and that eye-opening experience sparked.
Every trip has left me with unforgettable memories:
New York City: Quality time with a friend at the Central Park Zoo, four hours completely immersed in art at The Met, and iconic views of the Statue of Liberty from the free Staten Island Ferry.
Chicago: A hilarious and unforgettable 4-hour road trip squeezed in a car with 5 friends passing endless cornfields. Plus, the skyline entering Chinatown was even more stunning than NYC, Tokyo, Hong Kong, or Kuala Lumpur!
My ultimate dream destination is Antarctica—I want to step into that pure, untouched white world unlike anywhere else on Earth.
To me, whether it’s by plane or car, solo or with family and friends, travel is what makes the journey of life truly rich and meaningful.
Looking ahead, my goal is to become a Global Educator. I want to actively participate in overseas teaching programs to keep broadening my perspective and share a bigger world with my students!
HOPE Framework Report: Solving Transport and Infrastructure Issues at GTX Unjeong Central Station
1. Introduction: My Hometown, Paju
I live in Paju, a city in northern Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Paju is famous for its beautiful balance between city life and natural spots like the Hangang and Imjingang Rivers. It is also well known for arts and culture, such as the Heyri Art Village and Paju Book City.
In my neighborhood, there is a long stream called Gongneungcheon, which connects North Han Mountain all the way to the Han River. It has a great bike trail where I often rode my bicycle as a child, and many citizens visit to take walks. I also enjoy spending time with my friends at Unjeong Lake Park. It has great accessibility, plenty of parking spaces, and is well managed, making it a favorite place for us to hang out, even early in the middle of the night.
Paju has a strategic location next to Goyang, northwestern Seoul, Incheon, and Gimpo. The Jayuro highway makes driving and taking buses very convenient. However, train transportation used to be uncomfortable. The Gyeongui-Jungang Line shares tracks with subway line 1, freight and long-distance trains, causing frequent delays. With a 15-minute interval, it could not solve traffic congestion.
To fix this, the GTX-A (Express Train) was opened, taking less than 20 minutes to reach Seoul Station. This made visiting to Seoul and Ilsan much easier. However, two main problems have appeared around GTX Unjeong Central Station: transportation connection issues and a lack of nearby shops and cultural spaces.
2. H - Home League: Exploring Around the Station
I looked around my neighborhood bus stop, the GTX Unjeong Central Station transit center, nearby bike racks, and walk paths toward Unjeong Lake Park.
What I Found:
Long lines of people waiting for buses during rush hours, with buses and cars getting tangled dangerously right in front of the station.
Unlike Gyeongui-Jungang Line's Unjeong Station (which has Starfield Village and busy shopping centers) or KINTEX Station in Ilsan, GTX Unjeong Central Station is surrounded mostly by apartments and construction sites with few places to eat, shop, or rest.
People outside Unjeong 5-dong visit this area only to take the train, not to spend time here.
3. O - Overview, Observation & Goal
Why is this happening?
Bus Connection Issues: Bus route updates couldn't keep up with the fast opening of the GTX line. Outlying areas lack direct buses and have long waiting times.
Traffic Congestion: Many cars park illegally near the transit center to drop off family members.
Slow Infrastructure Setup: Apartment buildings opened faster than commercial and cultural malls.
Poor Pedestrian Paths: Walkways between the station and Unjeong Lake Park or Sori Stream are confusing and disconnected.
Goal:
"Make GTX Unjeong Central Station a convenient transit hub and a green cultural hotspot where everyone in Paju wants to stay and enjoy!"
4. P - Plan: Creative Ideas from Students
1) GTX Express Shuttle Buses
Propose direct, non-stop shuttle buses connecting major apartment complexes directly to the GTX station without making long detours.
2) Green Bike & PM (Scooter) Parking Zones
Set up clear parking spaces and safety sticker campaigns near the station to stop electric scooters and bicycles from blocking sidewalks.
3) Green Ring Walking Trail
Build a clear, tree-lined walking and bicycle path connecting GTX Unjeong Central Station directly to Unjeong Lake Park with easy-to-read signboards.
4) Pop-up Container Markets
Use empty spaces near the station for temporary pop-up shops featuring Paju Book City bookstores, local crafts, and food trucks before large malls are built.
5. E - Execution & Example: Taking Action & Sharing
My Actions:
Riding Public Transit: Took the bus from my neighborhood to the GTX station during peak hours to record travel times and bus overcrowding.
Walking the Path: Walked from the station to Unjeong Lake Park, marked confusing spots, and drew a "Station-to-Park Walking Map."
Eco-friendly Travel: Used bicycles and public buses instead of my parents' car to help reduce carbon emissions.
Sharing Inspiration:
News Cards: Made easy-to-read news cards titled "How to Transit Smart at GTX" and posted them on the classroom board.
School Presentation: Created a comparison poster comparing "Gyeongui-Jungang Unjeong Station vs. GTX Unjeong Central Station" and presented ideas to my classmates to make our station area better!
