Seo Samsuk Holds Policy Forum at National Assembly on Securing Transportation Rights for Island Residents

Improving Ferry Transfer Systems... Democratic Party's Fast-Track Pledge
"Early Implementation of Lee Administration's National Policy Task: Public Passenger Ferry System"

Seo Samsuk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the "Policy Forum for Securing Transportation Rights for Island Residents" held at the National Assembly on the 3rd. Photo by Seo Samsuk's Office

Seo Samsuk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Yeongam, Muan, and Shinan in South Jeolla Province, held the "Policy Forum for Securing Transportation Rights of Island Residents" at the National Assembly on September 3.

The forum was organized to explore measures for the early implementation of the public passenger ferry system, a long-standing wish of island residents. The event began with a presentation by Jang Cheolho, a research fellow at the Korea Island Promotion Agency, and brought together experts from the government, academia, and passenger ferry companies. They discussed the introduction of the public passenger ferry system under the Lee Jaemyung administration, and deliberated on building an integrated transfer system between ferries and land-based public transportation, as well as strengthening ferry safety to enhance convenience and safety in maritime transportation.

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized in his congratulatory remarks, "Island residents should no longer face restrictions on their right to mobility simply because they live on islands," highlighting the necessity of introducing the public passenger ferry system. Floor leader Kim Byungki also pledged support, stating, "A public system for which the state is responsible is needed."

The public passenger ferry system was adopted as a national policy task during both the Moon Jaein and Yoon Sukyeol administrations, with plans for full implementation by 2025. However, progress has been limited to designating some private passenger routes as state-subsidized routes.

As a result, out of a total of 480 inhabited islands, 74 islands are currently excluded from passenger ferry routes due to issues such as fare costs, leaving them in a maritime transportation blind spot. The maritime accident rate for private passenger ferries operating on state-subsidized routes also surged from 3.7% in 2019 to 17.2% in 2024. This underscores the urgent need to introduce a public passenger ferry system to expand maritime transportation rights and enhance safety.

The Lee Jaemyung administration has designated the public passenger ferry system as a national policy task and is simultaneously promoting passenger fare support for island residents and tourists, as well as the development of new passenger routes.

Assemblyman Seo stated, "The public passenger ferry system is the state's responsibility to guarantee the people's right to pursue happiness and their right to mobility," and urged the government to take an active role in eliminating transportation blind spots for island residents.

He continued, "The public passenger ferry system was a bipartisan pledge in the 21st presidential election and has been adopted as a fast-track livelihood bill by the Democratic Party in this National Assembly. I hope it will be implemented as soon as possible to fulfill the long-held wishes of island residents," adding, "I expect the Lee Jaemyung administration to provide careful support at the national level."

Meanwhile, Assemblyman Seo is focusing on securing transportation rights for island residents by sponsoring the "Maritime Public Transportation Act," which provides a legal basis for the public passenger ferry system, and the "Amendment to the Shipping Act," which stipulates state support for the introduction of passenger ferries.

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