Hong Ik-pyo: "Extension of Fuel Tax Reduction Not Enough to Ease Transportation Cost Burden"

"Practical Support Measures Needed"

Hong Ik-pyo, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the government's extension of the fuel tax reduction measure on the 19th, saying, "Raising bus and subway fares while maintaining the fuel tax reduction is like encouraging people to drive private cars instead of taking the subway," and added, "The extension of the fuel tax reduction alone is not enough to reduce the transportation cost burden for low-income and young generations."

Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the National Assembly's audit countermeasure meeting held on the 19th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

At a National Assembly inspection countermeasure meeting held that morning, Floor Leader Hong said, "Although it is an inevitable measure to prevent the burden of rising oil prices due to worsening Middle East tensions from being passed on to the public, there are criticisms that the fuel tax reduction does not significantly lower gasoline prices and only increases the profits of oil refiners."

He also emphasized the need for practical support measures to ease the burden of public transportation costs, considering the convenience of public transportation users living in the metropolitan area.

Floor Leader Hong said, "Seoul City announced the implementation of the Climate Companion Card priced in the 60,000 won range," and added, "Gyeonggi Province announced the 'The Gyeonggi Pass,' and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is promoting the 'K-Pass,' an expansion of the Moon Jae-in administration's Altteul Transportation Card." He continued, "The Democratic Party supports all these initiatives," but pointed out, "However, the core issue is the convenience of public transportation users in the metropolitan area. Limiting it to Seoul citizens does not practically help Gyeonggi Province residents and Incheon citizens who commute to Seoul."

He said, "The policy effectiveness is diminished," and stressed, "The policy standard should always be the people. The central government, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, along with Seoul City, Gyeonggi Province, and Incheon City, must discuss and implement practical support measures to ease the burden of public transportation costs for metropolitan area residents without discrimination."

He added, "The Democratic Party will actively support the establishment and successful outcomes of such discussions," and said, "Even if the affiliated parties are different, the people are one. We will do our best to protect the lives of the people."

Meanwhile, the Climate Companion Card proposed by Seoul City is a monthly pass costing 65,000 won that allows unlimited use of all public transportation within Seoul, including subways, buses, and public bicycles. Gyeonggi Province is promoting The Gyeonggi Pass, which refunds part of the transportation costs for Gyeonggi residents regardless of where they use public transportation nationwide, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is pushing for the introduction of the K-Pass, an integrated subway and bus pass that offers a 20% discount if used more than 21 times a month.

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