Line 1 of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway links central Seoul, South Korea to Cheongnyangni and Uijeongbu Bukbu Stations in the northeast, and Yongsan, Guro , and Incheon Stations in the southwest, and Suwon and Cheonan Stations in the south. The line first opened in 1974 between Seoul Station and Cheongnyangni, the only section of the line that is underground. It has gradually extended since then, most recently in January 2005 when the line was extended south from Byeongjeom Station in Hwaseong to Cheonan Station in Cheonan.
Frequent service is provided between Uijeongbu Bukbu, Cheongnyangni, Seoul, Yongsan, and Guro, where trains split between Incheon in the west and Suwon and Byeongjeom in the south. Trains also operate between Cheongnyangni and Yongsan, bypassing downtown Seoul by travelling along the south side of Namsan mountain. In addition, express trains operate between Yongsan and Seoul Stations and various major suburban stations.
Much of the line's length travels along the Gyeongbu (Seoul-Byeongjeom), Gyeongin (Seoul-Incheon), and Gyeongwon (Yongsan-Uijeongbu Bukbu) Lines of the Korea National Railroad .
South Korea's first subway line was constructed with the techinical and economic aid of Japan. However, Japanese stuffs were excluded from the opening ceremony in 1974 and the Japanese assistance was hidden from Koreans. A Korean official used the assassination attempt on President Park as an excuse for it. Immediately before the opening, a Korean residing in Japan tried to assassinate President Park and killed his wife instead. Strangely, this incident inflamed Korean anti-Japanese sentiment.
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