"Sorry" ... Apology Letter and 200,000 Won Delivered from 60-Year-Old Woman for Subway Fare Evasion

On the 25th, a woman in her 60s entered the Customer Safety Office at Gasan Digital Complex Station on Line 7 of Seoul Metro Corporation (President Baek Ho) hesitantly, handed over an envelope, and quickly left.

Inside the envelope was an apology letter for fare evasion during difficult times in the past, along with 200,000 won in cash.

The letter stated, "I apologize and wish to make amends now for the fare evasion I committed during the difficult times in the past."

Passengers using the subway must use a valid ticket according to the Passenger Transport Terms and Conditions. In exceptional cases such as ticket loss, to avoid being mistaken for fare evasion, passengers must report to staff in advance and pay the fare according to the procedures stipulated in the terms.

Fare evasion is considered a "crime of unauthorized use of convenience facilities" and can result in criminal penalties. Additionally, a surcharge must be paid, which is the fare for the traveled section plus 30 times that fare.

Citizens need to clearly recognize that fare evasion in public facilities like the subway shifts their own responsibility onto others and is a clear criminal act as defined by current criminal law.

Baek Ho, President of Seoul Metro Corporation, stated, "It is necessary for citizens to recognize that subway fare evasion is a clear criminal act," and added, "The corporation will strengthen crackdowns and continue campaigns to establish a proper subway usage culture to eradicate fare evasion."