[2023 National Audit] Climate Companion Card, Future Directions... Spotlight on the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee Audit

Gyeonggi-do Officially Declares Departure
Interest in Mayor Oh Se-hoon's Statement

Seoul Metropolitan Government is entering the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee’s audit on major city administration issues such as the Climate Companion Card. In particular, as Gyeonggi Province has decided to introduce its own public transportation fare support policy called 'The Gyeonggi Pass,' related inquiries are expected to be concentrated. Along with this, major issues such as the Mapo incineration plant, protests by the National Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (Jeonjangyeon), and public transportation fare hikes are expected to be scrutinized.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is taking an oath at the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of Seoul City Hall held at Seoul City Hall on the 16th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee will begin the audit at 10 a.m. on the 23rd in the Seoul City Hall meeting room. Seoul had previously undergone an audit by the Public Administration and Security Committee on the 16th.

In this audit, key issues are expected to include the unlimited public transportation pass called the Climate Companion Card, public transportation fare increases, the Mapo District incineration plant controversy, and Jeonjangyeon protests.

First, regarding the Climate Companion Card, attention is focused on Seoul’s stance as Gyeonggi Province has prepared an independent policy. This system provides a monthly pass costing 65,000 KRW that allows unlimited use of Seoul’s subway, buses, and Ddareungi bike-sharing service. A pilot project is scheduled to start in January next year, but cooperation from Gyeonggi Province and Incheon City is essential for the project’s success.

However, on the 17th during the Public Administration and Security Committee audit, Governor Kim Dong-yeon officially announced his non-participation along with the introduction of the Gyeonggi Pass. The The Gyeonggi Pass project is a system that reimburses part of transportation costs to Gyeonggi residents who use all public transportation nationwide without age restrictions. Essentially, it plans to link the 'K Pass' introduced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Metropolitan Transport Committee (Daegwangwi) in July next year with The Gyeonggi Pass, expanding benefits for Gyeonggi residents.

Incheon City is also reviewing alternatives, including not participating in the Climate Companion Card. Recently, Incheon City received data on the budget requirements for the Climate Companion Card from Seoul and commissioned the Incheon Research Institute for a study. They also plan to analyze Gyeonggi Province’s The Gyeonggi Pass. Therefore, there is keen interest in what solution Mayor Oh will propose regarding this matter.

The final decision to locate a new metropolitan resource recovery facility (waste incineration plant) in Sangam-dong, Mapo District is also a contentious issue. Last year, the city announced plans to build a new facility underground at the site of the existing waste incineration plant in Sangam-dong, Mapo District, and confirmed construction in August this year. Mapo District strongly opposes this, arguing that based on its own soil contamination survey, fluoride was detected above the standard level at the planned incineration site and that the construction should be reconsidered.

Public transportation fare increases are also expected to be controversial. In August, the city raised bus fares by 300 KRW, followed by a 150 KRW increase in subway fares this month. As deficits in subway operations and the bus industry ballooned, the city implemented fare hikes for the first time in eight years since 2016. An additional 150 KRW increase in the basic subway fare is planned for the second half of next year.

Additionally, Jeonjangyeon, which resumed subway boarding protests during morning commutes last month but announced a suspension of protests until the 13th of next month, is likely to be a key issue. Jeonjangyeon recently demanded that President Yoon Seok-yeol restore the drastically cut budget for disability support, emphasizing that 'people with disabilities are also citizens.'