Youth Discount Extension on Climate Companion Card for the Duration of Military Service...

Discount Applied from Existing Age 39 to Maximum Age 42

Youths who have fulfilled their national defense duties will be able to receive the Seoul Climate Companion Card youth discount benefit up to the age of 42 to compensate for their military service period.

On the 12th, Seoul City announced that it will push for an amendment to the 'Seoul Metropolitan Youth Basic Ordinance' to support youths who have been excluded from youth benefits due to military service. Accordingly, the age limit for the Climate Companion Card youth discount will be extended by up to 3 years.

Currently, the Climate Companion Card youth discount applies to those aged 19 to 39, but by applying the discount benefit equivalent to the mandatory service period, it will be expanded up to age 42. With the Climate Companion Card youth discount, a 30-day pass can be used for 55,000 KRW, discounted by 7,000 KRW (58,000 KRW if including Ttareungi bike rental).

If a person has served in the military for more than 2 years, the youth discount age will be extended up to 42; for service between 1 year and less than 2 years, up to 41; and for less than 1 year of service, up to 40. Once the ordinance amendment passes, the expanded youth age will be applied immediately from 2025. Based on 2025, those born between 1982 and 2006 will be eligible.

The city plans to finalize and announce the specific application schedule and method after system adjustments. In principle, after pre-screening, eligible individuals will be able to have their Climate Companion Cards recharged, but if system adjustments are delayed, a method of initially charging a regular pass for use and reimbursing afterward is also being considered.

Yoon Jong-jang, Director of the Seoul City Transportation Office, said, "Expanding the Climate Companion Card youth discount age for discharged soldiers who were unable to receive youth policy benefits due to military service holds great significance for improving youth welfare and ensuring fair policy implementation." He added, "Seoul City will continue to strengthen institutional support so that youths are not marginalized and can receive benefits fairly."