Members of the Korean National Assembly Budget Committee from the Honam region have agreed to include the budget for conducting research to validate a construction plan for underwater high - speed railway on November 19 . A 167 kilometer railway consists of an underwater tunnel connecting Bogil Island - Chuja Island - Jeju Island ( 73 kilometer ) ; an underground tunnel connecting Mokpo City - Haenam County ( 66 kilometer ) ; and a crossing waterway connecting Haenam County - Bogil Island ( 28 kilometer ) . The project will last for 11 years with an estimated cost of 14 . 6 trillion won ( $ 12 . 7 billion ) . Once the project is complete , the average commuting time between Seoul and Jeju Island would be only around two hours and 26 minutes in that it would be possible to travel between the two regions in one day . However , the South Korean government must face some harsh realities before embarking on the project in earnest . First is the feasibility of constructing the underwater high - speed railway . If the focus of developing the region centers solely on an underwater high - speed railroad , it could trigger social debate and confusion within the government . The situation will not only upset the underwater tunnel project , but put the fate of constructing a new airport in Jeju Island on the line . The people of the Jeju Island will eventually have to bear the cost . Secondly , the underwater high - speed railway will function as no more than a transportation medium connecting the island to the Korean peninsula . The railroad will not be of much help in attracting international conferences , large - scale investments or foreign visitors . Third , the Jeju island will lose its appeal as an island with less tourists making long trips to the island . We must not forget that the true aim of the project has always been constructing a world class airport operating around - the - clock that can withstand all weather conditions . Let ’ s leave the discussion for the construction of underwater high - speed railway to our future generation . [ written by Hyun Seung - tak , Chairman of Jeju Chamber of Commerce and Industry ] [ translated by Yen - mi Hong / edited by Jae - yoon Jung ] [ ⓒ Maeil Business Newspaper & mk . co . kr , All rights reserved ]