Park Young-sun Promises '40% Discount on Youth Public Transportation Fares' Ahead of Voting

"Free Ride Cost Compensation of 370 Billion Won Discussed for Years... To Be Implemented Next Year"

Park Young-sun, Democratic Party of Korea Candidate for Seoul Mayor

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] On the day before the early voting for the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election, Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, promised to issue the 'Seoul Youth Pass,' which supports young residents of Seoul with a 40% discount on public transportation fares.

On the 1st, at a concentrated campaign event in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, Park announced, "Today’s eighth declaration is a policy for the youth," adding, "We will introduce the Youth Pass system to support youth transportation."

The Youth Pass system is a fixed-rate ticket issued to youths aged 19 to 24 residing in Seoul, providing a 40% discount on public transportation such as buses and subways.

He stated, "Young people face a considerable burden when using public transportation," and "It is very difficult for youth to live in station areas where housing costs are high." He further explained, "This kind of system is also implemented in several advanced countries such as the United States, Japan, and France, and has shown considerable operational success."

Regarding funding, he said, "The cost of free subway rides, which has been discussed for years only in the National Assembly standing committee, amounts to about 370 billion won. If I become mayor, I will persuade the central government and ensure that compensation measures for this cost are implemented." He also promised, "We will establish legal grounds such as ordinances and start implementation from next year."

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