Seoul Mayor, CBS Radio Interview
"Starting with Seoul and Expanding as Effects Are Seen"
"Overlap with K-Pass? Healthy Policy Competition"
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon commented on the participation of Incheon City and Gyeonggi Province in the 'Climate Companion Card,' which allows unlimited use of buses and subways in the Seoul area for 65,000 KRW per month, stating, "It is a matter of the will and capability of Incheon City and Gyeonggi Province," and added, "If there is the will, negotiations can be quickly finalized, and if they join, we can start together from January next year."
Mayor Oh made these remarks on the morning of the 13th during an appearance on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show.'
On the 11th, Seoul City announced plans to introduce the Climate Companion Card. It can be used when boarding in Seoul and alighting in other regions such as Gyeonggi and Incheon, but it cannot be used when boarding outside Seoul.
In response, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon City opposed the unilateral announcement without prior consultation with neighboring local governments. They argued that a working-level consultative body involving the three metropolitan local governments should be formed for discussion.
Regarding this, Mayor Oh said, "I thought it was proper to start with Seoul City first," and added, "If we were to complete discussions perfectly including Incheon City and Gyeonggi Province, it probably wouldn't start within this year."
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is briefing at the press conference for the introduction and implementation of the Climate Companion Card held at the Seoul City Hall briefing room on the morning of the 11th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
He also viewed the cases of Incheon City and Gyeonggi Province differently. Mayor Oh said, "Incheon City operates a quasi-public bus system similar in structure to Seoul, so if there is a decision, there should be no major issues," and added, "Gyeonggi Province has a different structure; it does not have a quasi-public bus system. Negotiations with about 200 companies are necessary, so it may take a long time."
He continued, "I judged that it would be better for Gyeonggi Province to hurry by referring to the effects of Seoul City's implementation, as this would allow residents of the metropolitan area to benefit sooner."
Regarding criticism that Seoul City is acting unilaterally, he explained, "We asked to keep confidentiality during the consultation process, but a media outlet covering Incheon wrote an article first, causing confusion. Therefore, the announcement scheduled for Thursday (the 14th) was hastily moved up to Monday (the 11th)." He added, "In the case of Incheon, there was enough time for review, but due to these circumstances, it was moved up. However, if they join now, they can participate in the pilot project starting January next year."
On concerns about overlap with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's K-Pass project, he responded, "That is a very superficial and shallow observation," and said, "Smart consumers calculate their consumption patterns, so from their perspective, it will be a pleasant choice."
Mayor Oh said, "I do not understand why it is described as a conflict," and added, "From the consumer's point of view, it is a healthy policy competition that offers enjoyable choices, and there is no reason to avoid it. I have not felt any reluctance from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport."
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