Representative Heo Jong-sik Proposes Four Key Bills on Incheon Issues Including Passenger Ferry Transportation Card Application

A bill to address issues originating from Incheon, such as the application of transportation cards on passenger ships and securing the public nature of port hinterlands, was simultaneously proposed.

On the 28th, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Heo Jong-sik (Incheon Dong-gu Michuhol-gu Gap) announced that he had taken the lead in proposing the so-called 'Incheon Issue Four Bills,' including ▲the Amendment to the Act on the Promotion and Use of Public Transportation ▲the Amendment to the Act on the Management of Marine Waste and Marine Pollution Sediments ▲the Amendment to the Port Act ▲and the Amendment to the Passenger Automobile Transportation Business Act.

The amendment to the Public Transportation Act focuses on providing support such as using nationwide compatible transportation cards when using water public transportation like passenger ships. Although the Public Transportation Act was amended in 2020 to include passenger ships as a means of public transportation, it did not include support measures.

Previously, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries had established plans to build transfer discount services between land public transportation such as KTX and passenger ships to ease the burden on passenger ship users and revitalize coastal transportation; however, related budgets were not reflected, leaving the plan at a standstill.

The amendment to the Marine Waste Management Act mandates national support due to the excessive burden on local governments in collecting and disposing of marine waste originating from foreign countries and massively inflowing to island areas by ocean currents.

Democratic Party of Korea Representative Heo Jong-sik

The amendment to the Port Act aims to correct preferential treatment in private development of the Incheon New Port hinterland and issues of port privatization. Since the scope of total project costs determines the range of private investors' cost recovery, the definition of total project costs is newly defined, and the government is to regulate the scope of land subject to compulsory purchase and the appropriateness of usage plans.

The amendment to the Passenger Automobile Transportation Business Act includes measures to strengthen local governments' management and supervision functions over the acquisition and operation of route passenger transportation businesses by private equity funds, enhance the effectiveness of quasi-public financial support, and prevent the deterioration of public interest caused by private equity funds entering the bus business.

Rep. Heo said, "The four amendments show that Incheon issues are not limited to the region but apply nationwide," adding, "We will strive further to help the livelihood of the people beyond Incheon citizens through policy development originating from Incheon."

Earlier, Rep. Heo had taken the lead in proposing seven bills during this regular session of the National Assembly, including bills on ▲support for areas where coal-fired power plants have been closed ▲expansion of local government authority over offshore wind power ▲and prevention of reverse discrimination in electricity rates in the Incheon area, between September and October.