Starting the New Year, Bus Fare Refunds with 'Gyeongnam Pass'... Governor Park Wan-su of Gyeongnam Demonstrates Personally

Up to 100% for Seniors Aged 75 and Over and Low-Income Groups, Unlimited Monthly Usage

Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, demonstrated the ‘Gyeongnam Pass,’ which will be fully implemented starting January this year, on his first workday of the new year.

The Gyeongnam Pass is the first project of the province’s second half policy direction, ‘Welfare, Togetherness, Hope,’ and is a Gyeongnam-type public transportation support program that reimburses transportation costs for vulnerable groups using public transit.

Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Province is riding a city bus and using the Gyeongnam Pass. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government

From January 1st this year, any resident of Gyeongnam who obtains the Gyeongnam Pass can receive transportation cost refunds anywhere nationwide.

Seniors aged 75 and older and low-income groups can receive up to 100% support, with unlimited monthly usage possible.

Governor Park said, “Through the Gyeongnam Pass, we will support residents to use public transportation more conveniently,” adding, “I hope many residents show interest, apply, and enjoy the benefits.”

He added, “We will continue to strive to make Gyeongnam a place where any resident can freely move anywhere.”

Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (center), visited Daedong Precision in Masan Free Trade Zone, shared on-site difficulties with foreign workers, and took a commemorative photo together. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government

Afterwards, to welcome the new year, Governor Park visited Daedong Precision Co., Ltd. in the Free Trade Zone, met with foreign workers, personally checked their daily lives, and listened to the difficulties they face on site.

Governor Park explained, “The 2025 Gyeongnam provincial government slogan is ‘Coexistence, Growth, and Hope for Gyeongnam,’” adding, “Coexistence means raising the happiness index together with residents and creating a Gyeongnam where foreign workers live together harmoniously.”

He continued, “Growth refers to Gyeongnam’s development goal of aspiring to be the economic capital of South Korea,” and said, “We will actively improve the housing environment, working conditions, and systems for foreign workers in the province.”

A foreign worker who met Governor Park said, “When I first arrived, I had difficulties communicating due to language and cultural differences, but I am adapting well thanks to customized services from the company and the Foreign Workers Support Center,” adding, “One of the biggest challenges is visa issues, and the metropolitan visa for foreign workers promoted by the province seems like it will be a great help.”

The metropolitan visa for foreign workers is a system where metropolitan local governments can decide on residency status and quota allocations. It was proposed by Governor Park Wan-su at the Central-Local Cooperation Meeting in July last year and is being promoted by the government in the form of a public contest.

Along with the metropolitan visa, Gyeongnam Province is implementing a support system for foreign workers to settle in during their initial arrival, customized education for foreign workers, and other programs to help foreign workers establish themselves as members of the local community.

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