Proposal to Form a 'Subway Fare Adjustment Council' to Resolve Chronic Deficits of Seoul Metro Corporation

Through Written Administrative Inquiry, Seoul City Councilor Kim Chang-won Urges Seoul Mayor to Take Responsibility as Administrative Head to Resolve Seoul Metro Corporation Issues Ahead of Strike on the 14th, Expresses Regret Over Having to Propose Mayor's Duties

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim Chang-won, Seoul Metropolitan Council member (Democratic Party, Dobong 3), proposed the formation of a 'Subway Fare Adjustment Consultative Body' to resolve the chronic deficit issue of Seoul Metro through a written administrative inquiry.

Council member Kim Chang-won urged the Mayor of Seoul to actively step forward to solve the problem, stating, "Although the Seoul Metro labor union has announced a strike, there has been no progress regarding the restructuring issue."

Seoul Metro has presented a restructuring plan, including a 10% workforce reduction, as a self-help measure to address the severe deficit. However, the union opposes this and has announced a strike starting on the 14th.

Kim Chang-won said, "At Seoul subway stations with 30,000 to 50,000 daily passengers, the number of station staff has remained fixed for years, resulting in an increase in stations staffed by two employees. When one of the two is on leave or attending training, only one person is on duty. From a safety perspective, one- or two-person stations are extremely dangerous. Discussing workforce reduction under these circumstances is merely a temporary measure that risks citizens' lives and does not seek a fundamental solution."

Accordingly, Council member Kim proposed creating a consultative body composed of various stakeholders, including subway users, the labor union, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and the Seoul Metropolitan Council, to gather opinions related to subway fares and reach a conclusion. He emphasized the need to listen to voices from all sectors regarding the current subway fare level and to seek realistic measures.

Kim Chang-won stated, "Mayor Oh, as the highest administrative official, has the responsibility to resolve Seoul Metro's deficit issue and restore normal management. I hope you find a profound solution rather than the seemingly fastest and easiest 'restructuring.' Please do not mechanically repeat the management's 'organizational restructuring' plan or the union's 'government responsibility theory,' but act as a responsible head of Seoul's administration."

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