Oh Se-hoon’s ‘Climate Companion Card’ Designer Yoon Jong-jang, Director of Transportation, Leaving a Mark on Seoul Transportation

During Yoon Jong-jang's tenure as Seoul City Transportation Director, the creation of the Climate Companion Card is expected to be recognized as 'Youth Companion' and 'Climate Companion' for its groundbreaking economic relief for youth and carbon neutrality effects such as greenhouse gas reduction

Among the achievements of Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who became the first four-term mayor in the history of Seoul, the Climate Companion Card cannot be overlooked.

The Climate Companion Card, which allows unlimited use of buses, subways, and Ddareungi bicycles for 30 days at a cost of 65,000 KRW, covers not only the Seoul subway lines but also the Byeolnae Line, Jinjeop Line, and the Gimpo Gold Line.

Yoon Jong-jang, Director of Transportation, Seoul Metropolitan Government

It is an all-weather transportation card that offers unlimited use of city buses, village buses, and Seoul’s Ddareungi bicycles.

For the youth, this is undoubtedly a very beneficial transportation option that reduces the burden of transportation costs.

Due to these advantages, after starting a pilot operation on January 23 of this year, the full-scale project was launched on July 1, and as of the 6th of this month, it is regarded as a revolutionary transportation card used by 600,000 people on weekdays and 370,000 on weekends.

It can be said to be a gift that embodies the meaning of climate companionship and youth companionship, born from Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s determination to ease the burdens of young people’s lives even just a little.

The carbon neutrality effect is also expected to leave a significant mark in the transportation sector, bringing immeasurable benefits.

The mastermind behind planning and creating this Climate Companion Card is none other than Yoon Jong-jang, Director of Transportation for Seoul City.

Appointed as the practical head of Seoul’s transportation policy on January 1 last year, Director Yoon is the longest-serving transportation director, having held the position for over two years, and is carrying out work that will leave a milestone in Seoul’s transportation sector.

Following the Climate Companion Card, the pilot operation of autonomous driving companion buses is also progressing smoothly.

Soon, led by Seoul Transportation Corporation, the current method of tapping transportation cards on terminals will be replaced by the introduction of a ‘tagless card’ system, where payment is made simply by passing with the card inside a wallet or bag.

In this way, Seoul City is expected to play a decisive role in ushering in an era where users can conveniently and safely use transportation means, aligned with the needs of the AI era’s cutting-edge transportation methods.

In particular, Director Yoon, a graduate of the 37th Administrative Examination, has demonstrated exceptional planning and quick-wittedness as seen in his career as head of the Planning Coordination Team and Public Relations Officer, which are considered the brain of Seoul City.

He also possesses expertise in transportation, having served as Director of Transportation Policy and Transportation Planning Officer, and is highly regarded for his excellent ability to respond to current issues.

A senior official in Seoul’s transportation office praised, “Director Yoon is excellent at organizing issues and key points when problems arise,” adding, “He operates the organization rationally and non-authoritatively, and makes efforts to communicate with staff as a high-ranking public official.”

As reflected in this internal evaluation, he is assessed to have the expertise and leadership to achieve continuous results.