Korea Railroad, Rent Reduction for Railway Station Stores and Other COVID-19 Damage Support

Korea Railroad President Son Byung-seok is presiding over an emergency COVID-19 prevention measures meeting with headquarters executives. Photo by Korea Railroad

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) is taking measures to support those affected by COVID-19, including temporarily reducing rental fees for stores in railway stations.

KORAIL announced on the 20th that it has prepared and will implement an emergency support plan for small business owners linked to railways who are struggling due to COVID-19.

The support plan applies to small business owners operating stores at railway stations and small to medium-sized partner travel agencies selling train travel products.

First, to ease the rental fee burden on small business owners operating stores in railway stations, KORAIL plans to reduce by 20% the fees or rental payments paid by contractors, and for Storyway convenience store contractors who receive commissions based on sales, the commission will be increased by 20%.

Additionally, for travel agencies selling travel products linked to railways, KORAIL will waive all product sales commissions and support sales and promotion of travel products through the KORAIL website.

The support will be maintained from this month through April, and KORAIL explained that depending on the situation such as the end of COVID-19, the possibility of further extension will also be reviewed.

Meanwhile, KORAIL has been making every effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by operating an emergency quarantine task force since the 20th of last month.

Railway stations are disinfected at least once daily, and trains are disinfected at least once before and after operation. With cooperation from local governments, thermal imaging cameras have been installed and operated at 40 major stations nationwide, and hand sanitizers are provided in station waiting rooms and ticket counters to help prevent infectious diseases.

KORAIL’s Business Development Director Sung Kwang-sik said, “We have decided on emergency support to coexist with small and medium-sized business owners struggling due to COVID-19,” and added, “We will join efforts to overcome COVID-19 and contribute to revitalizing the national economy.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.