On the Day They Were Supposed to Receive Support Funds, Sudden Notice to "Wait Two More Months"... Corporate Taxi Drivers Are Furious

Taxis lined up waiting to pick up passengers. [Image source=Yonhap News]

A text message sent by Gimhae City to a corporate taxi association president.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Hwang Dooyul] Gimhae City in Gyeongnam Province is facing backlash from corporate taxi drivers after unilaterally delaying the payment of promised subsidies by about two months on the very day the payment was supposed to be made.

On the 18th, the Transportation Policy Division of Gimhae City announced that it would pay a subsidy of 1 million KRW to corporate taxi drivers in Gimhae on the 25th, one week later.

Upon hearing the news, corporate taxi drivers waited for the subsidy on the 25th, but when it was not paid that day, they contacted Gimhae City. The city informed them that due to administrative procedures, the payment to corporate taxi drivers would be postponed until sometime in April.

On the 24th of last month, individual taxi drivers classified as small business owners received support under the ‘4th Small Business Support Plan.’ However, corporate taxis are not classified as small business owners, so to address the fairness issue of drivers performing the same job but not receiving support, the subsidy is being provided.

The subsidy is also extended to special occupations such as tourist buses and insurance planners, in addition to corporate taxis. It is known that other areas in Gyeongnam, including Jinju, Geoje, Yangsan, and Changwon, have already provided the subsidy.

The corporate taxi association stated, “We have continuously contacted Gimhae City, but the payment has been delayed due to administrative reasons,” and complained, “They keep repeating that the support will be provided sometime in April.”

A head of a corporate taxi association in Gimhae said, “The payment scheduled for February was postponed without a clear explanation, and honestly, it is hard to believe that it will be paid in April.”

Taxi driver Moon said, “Although the total subsidy amount has increased due to the government’s recent decision to provide additional support on top of the previously confirmed subsidy, which may complicate administrative procedures, some drivers are worried that support might change after the presidential election ends and if the government changes.”

The Transportation Policy Division of Gimhae City said, “Although it was decided to pay on February 25th, the budget processing is taking longer than expected, so the payment will be delayed.”

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