The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday it would kick off the construction of the Wirye Line Tram at the end of this month as the project was approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The construction is an eco-friendly new transportation project that connects 12 stations, including two transfer stations: Bokjeong Station on Line 8 and the Suin-bundang Line, and Namwirye Station on Line 8.

Trams were first introduced in Seoul in 1899 and operated for nearly 70 years until 1968. If construction goes as scheduled, tram services will start in September 2025, 57 years after they stopped.

“We will try to carefully look after the process and safety (of the project) so that (the Wirye Line Tram) can open as scheduled in September 2025," said Kim Seong-bo, head of Seoul’s urban infrastructure headquarters. "We also expect eco-friendly transportation to solve the inconvenience of public transportation and contribute to revitalizing the local economy."