Seoul Metro Union "Agreement to Extend Subway Operation by 1 Hour from Early June"

On the 13th, one day before the general strike announced by the Seoul Metro Labor Union, a train is stopped at the Korea Railroad Corporation Guro Vehicle Office in Guro-gu, Seoul. The labor and management are scheduled to hold final negotiations on the same day, but concerns about the strike becoming a reality are growing as both sides are sharply divided over the restructuring plan. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has formed an emergency transportation countermeasure headquarters and plans to deploy 13,000 substitute workers, including retirees, to prevent confusion during commuting hours. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The Seoul Metro Labor Union, which operates the Seoul subway, announced on the 28th that it has reached an agreement with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to extend weekday train operating hours until 1 a.m.

The subway operating hours are expected to be adjusted sequentially after June 1. Lines 2 and 6 to 8 will begin extended operations from early June. Lines 1 and 3 to 4, jointly operated with Korail, will be implemented around August after consultations, and Line 5's implementation schedule will be determined according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's approval timeline.

Seoul Metro has decided to refill the 81 positions that were reduced due to the discontinuation of late-night extended operations. The union also stated that both sides agreed to increase personnel for night maintenance and crew deployment. The number of personnel to be added is approximately 340.

The union explained, "It is regrettable that fundamental support measures for the Seoul subway, which is staggering in a financial crisis, have not been reached," but added, "Considering the urgent need to resolve citizen inconveniences caused by late-night transportation chaos and difficulties returning home, we have decided to cooperate magnanimously."

Earlier, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 5th of this month that it would resume late-night subway operations after two years. This measure is to respond to increased late-night transportation demand following the full lifting of social distancing and the 'taxi crisis.' Although the Seoul Metro Labor Union opposed this due to personnel shortages, the labor and management and the Seoul Metropolitan Government ultimately reached an agreement, allowing the extended operations to proceed as originally scheduled.