[Interview] Kim Sang-beom, President of Seoul Metro: "We Will Do Our Best to Ensure the Highest Level of Safety to Gain Citizens' Trust"

Since CEO Kim's inauguration on April 1, after 2 months and 20 days, he has strengthened on-site visits to attempt four key innovations: safety, financial structure improvement, future preparedness, and integrity... He pledges to move forward with all employees to realize the vision of Seoul Metro as 'Global No.1' during his tenure.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim Sang-beom, President of Seoul Metro, marked his 2 months and 20 days in office on the 20th.

Kim is the first Seoul Metro president to come from the position of Seoul City’s First Deputy Mayor for Administration, and since his inauguration, he has continued innovative efforts, signaling a positive change in the internal atmosphere of the corporation, drawing attention.

In particular, Kim, who passed the civil service exam, has a reputation as an "honest public official" from his time in senior positions in Seoul City, and is expected to actively foster a culture of integrity within the corporation.

In a recent meeting with reporters, Kim said, “Based on over 30 years of public service experience for city administration development, I have done my best to fulfill the unchanging mission of ‘providing safe and convenient transportation services’,” reflecting on his first two months in office.

He also recalled, “Seoul Subway, which opened Line 1 in 1974, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024. Over nearly half a century, we have built subway infrastructure envied worldwide and have played a central role in Seoul’s public transportation.”

He continued, “Since the launch of the integrated corporation three years ago, we have made new attempts leading the 4th Industrial Revolution era in transportation and achieved various developments, but many areas still need improvement and supplementation. With rapid technological advances, we must urgently prepare for unprecedented rapid changes in the transportation environment. Above all, we are focusing on four key areas: safety, financial structure improvement, future preparedness, and integrity, and are attempting innovation.”

First, he said they are doing their utmost to secure the highest level of safety that can earn citizens’ trust.

Kim emphasized, “The greatest value of the subway, Seoul’s most important public transportation, is safety. The three main elements driving safety are people, systems, and safety culture. It is important to enhance human capabilities managing safety, build a system capable of 24-hour preventive response, and ultimately root the value of safety in the mindset and behavior of all employees.”

Accordingly, he prioritized visiting sites and meeting frontline employees above all else. On his first day in office, April 1, he started by visiting Gunja Vehicle Depot, Gunja Station, and the labor union for this reason. Until mid-May, he toured stations, vehicle depots, and technical offices to understand operational status and listen to employees’ opinions.

Suggestions from employees such as waterproofing work on depot rooftops, improvements in maintenance methods for new trains, and enhancements in employee welfare were immediately requested to relevant departments for resolution, and he is personally monitoring the progress. He stated that going forward, they will not just listen but work closely with employees to draw up plans leading to real improvements and changes.

He is also striving to create a sustainable management structure. The corporation cannot cover its huge operating costs solely with internal revenue and depends on external funds. Due to structural factors such as low fares below transportation costs and losses from free rides, the financial structure is becoming increasingly fragile.

Moreover, costs for upgrading aging facilities and investments in safety are explosively increasing. Under a management structure where operating costs cannot be covered by internal revenue alone, they are preparing alternatives to supplement chronic deficits through scientific management and strengthening external cooperation, actively pioneering new businesses such as non-transport operations.

The lifestyle logistics business is a representative subsidiary business that he is focusing on.

Kim said, “I believe that 21st-century subways should not only transport passengers but also become the center of local life. By 2022, we plan to establish up to 100 ‘Lifestyle Logistics Support Centers’ over three years, providing integrated lifestyle logistics convenience services such as manned and unmanned parcel storage, reception, pickup, personal item storage (self-storage), personal transportation management, and smartphone battery rental.” As the first step, on June 2, manned storage centers opened at three locations with many tourists and floating populations: Seoul Station, Myeongdong, and Jamsil Station. In April, they launched a dedicated mobile app that allows convenient reservation, payment, and customer service consultation for 5,557 unmanned lockers (T-Locker) operating at all Seoul subway stations.

Currently, they are conducting a feasibility study for installing logistics facilities within vehicle depots, which are the core of the subway logistics transport system, and are continuously consulting with related organizations such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Seoul City, and the Korea Railroad Research Institute to operate freight-only trains.

Following the amendment of the Enforcement Decree of the Special Act on Development Restriction Zones in February, which permits the development of parcel sorting facilities within vehicle depots, these efforts by the corporation have gained momentum.

Recognized for efforts to create a win-win ecosystem with logistics companies and develop urban logistics infrastructure, contributing to the development and innovation of the logistics industry, the corporation won the grand prize in the public enterprise category at the 23rd Korea Logistics Awards on May 22.

At the same time, attention must be paid to rapid changes in the transportation environment surrounding the corporation, such as population decline, aging, the advent of autonomous vehicles, expansion of personal mobility, and opening of new lines.

Kim said, “We must embrace the remarkable technological advances of the 4th Industrial Revolution era as management resources and respond proactively to external environmental changes. Among various innovative projects, the smart farm, an eco-friendly urban vertical farm combining ICT and cultivation technology, is not only a new revenue model but also a model that contributes to regional development by creating new jobs.”

He stated that they plan to advance existing projects such as smart farms and smart stations and discover new ones in the future to serve as a driving force for future preparedness.

Finally, he emphasized that enhancing integrity and morality, which public institutions must have, is a goal he definitely wants to achieve during his term.

Kim said, “Only on the foundation of honest work performance and a corporate culture that respects human rights can the corporation contribute to the public interest and become an institution loved by citizens. All employees must cultivate a resolute commitment to fight corruption and unfairness.”

To this end, each department is required to establish plans to improve integrity, and he regularly shares progress updates with them. The establishment of a company-wide promotion system and employees’ keen interest and active participation are positive changes.

He also paid attention to institutional improvements. A zero-tolerance principle is applied to corrupt acts such as bribery, and management of retirees reemployed in related organizations will be strengthened.

Kim said, “Changes are also happening at customer contact points. With the motto that service is integrity, we are investing heavily in facility improvements so that citizens can use the subway more conveniently and comfortably. We secured a budget of 660 billion won, a 150% increase from last year, to reinvest in aging facilities such as power equipment, replace old trains, and improve station environments. By the end of the year, citizens will be able to experience the newly renovated Seoul subway at many places. I believe these efforts will lead to substantial improvements in integrity.”

He concluded, “If we rest on the achievements made so far, we cannot guarantee the future of Seoul Metro. During my term, I will move forward with all employees to realize the vision of Seoul Metro as ‘Global No.1.’”

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