Lee Jae-myung "Providing ferry service to island residents at 1,000 won 5 times a month... Guaranteeing basic transportation rights"

Small but Certain Happiness Pledge 55... "Island Residents' 'Basic Transportation Rights' Must Not Be Neglected"
Applied Twice Annually to Returnees as Well

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on the 28th on Facebook his 55th 'So-hwak-haeng (small but certain happiness)' pledge, stating that he will provide the "Island Residents' 1000 Won Ferry" service, allowing island residents to ride ferries for 1000 won up to five times a month.

The purpose is to guarantee the basic transportation rights of residents living on islands and to alleviate the burden of transportation costs.

Candidate Lee said, "Islands are natural resources with unique value and part of our nation's territory. Although island residents play a role in protecting maritime territory, they are unable to enjoy the basic transportation rights that all citizens should have simply because they are separated from the mainland," adding, "I hope that the 1000 won ferry will guarantee island residents' basic rights to use public transportation and somewhat ease their inconveniences."

He also pledged to allow visitors returning to their hometowns in island regions during holidays to use the '1000 won ferry' service twice a year, aiming to facilitate comfortable homecomings and promote island tourism.

The Democratic Party explained that since islands have almost no medical or educational facilities, residents inevitably have to frequently travel back and forth to the mainland for their livelihood. However, ferry services are limited and travel costs are high, causing significant inconvenience. They added that although there is a special discount system for ferry fares, it still represents a considerable burden compared to the transportation costs for citizens living on the mainland.