[2023 National Audit] Climate Companion Card, Mapo Incineration Plant... Numerous Issues in the 'Seoul City National Audit'

16th 행안위, 23rd 국토위
Announcement of Major Administrative Issues Review

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's administration, marking its first year in office during the 8th term of popular election, will undergo a national audit on key city policies including the Climate Companion Card. This audit is expected to involve intense debates as it covers major public welfare issues such as public transportation fare hikes, as well as contentious matters like the Mapo incineration plant and the Itaewon tragedy.

According to political circles on the 16th, the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee will begin the audit at 10 a.m. in a meeting room at Seoul City Hall. Seoul is also scheduled for another audit by the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee on the 23rd.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is giving a briefing on the development of the Yakja Donghaeng Index at Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 10th. Photo by Yonhap News

Key issues in this audit are expected to include the Climate Companion Card, an unlimited public transportation pass, the increase in public transportation fares, the controversy over the Mapo-gu incineration plant, and the first anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy. Additionally, there will be reviews of Mayor Oh’s core administrative goals such as the Companion Policy and the Great Hangang Project.

Regarding the Climate Companion Card, maximizing policy effectiveness requires participation from Gyeonggi Province and Incheon City. This system offers a monthly pass priced at 65,000 KRW that allows unlimited use of Seoul’s subway, buses, and bike-sharing service Ddareungi. Although a pilot project is scheduled to start in January next year, cooperation from Gyeonggi and Incheon is crucial for its success. Some have pointed out potential conflicts with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s 'K-Pass,' a program that reimburses part of public transportation fares.

The increase in public transportation fares remains a hot-button issue. The city raised bus fares by 300 KRW in August and increased the basic subway fare by 150 KRW this month. Another 150 KRW hike in subway fares is planned for the second half of next year. The city argues that the fare hikes were unavoidable after eight years since 2016 due to deficits faced by subway operators and bus companies, but critics say it negatively impacts the economy of ordinary citizens.

The ongoing dispute between the city and Mapo-gu over the final decision to locate a new metropolitan resource recovery facility (waste incineration plant) in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, is also a key issue. Mapo-gu claims that its own soil contamination survey detected fluoride levels exceeding standards at the proposed site, calling for a reconsideration of the incineration plant’s construction. However, the city insists that Mapo-gu misapplied contamination standards and that there is no problem with building the incineration plant.

Controversy surrounding the Itaewon tragedy, approaching its first anniversary, remains unresolved. The audit is expected to include a comprehensive review of Seoul’s disaster safety system. In particular, as the city recently introduced an 'Intelligent Disaster Safety System' that automatically detects danger signs through CCTV, debates over its effectiveness are likely to continue. The memorial altar for the Itaewon tragedy, still maintained at Seoul Plaza, is also expected to be a point of contention.

Additionally, Mayor Oh’s policies such as the 'Companion Policy for the Vulnerable,' the Great Hangang Project, and Moa Town will be subject to review. The survival crisis of the Seoul Social Service Agency, which handles public housekeeping and care services, and the city’s suspension of budget support for TBS are also expected to be contentious issues.

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