▲ President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a cabinet meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae on September 29.
President Lee Jae-myung has proposed significantly raising the reimbursement rate under a program that provides additional transit fare refunds to commuters who use public transportation outside peak rush hours.
During a cabinet meeting he presided over at Cheong Wa Dae today (September 29), President Lee was briefed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport that the program's refund rate had been raised from the previous 20 percent to 30 percent.
In response, President Lee asked, "Isn't shifting one's commute to save on transit fares an act of genuine desperation? These could be people struggling to make ends meet, so isn't offering a discount of merely 20 to 30 percent too weak?"
He continued, "Easing overcrowding during rush hours serves the national interest and aligns with government policy goals, and aren't there working people who have already been commuting between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m.?"
He added, "It makes me think: can't we give them a bigger discount?"
President Lee also explained, "While I hesitate to propose a specific number, wouldn't around half price be reasonable?" adding, "I don't think it would cost that much in budget."
He continued, "Recently, tax revenue surpluses have continued to occur, and economic conditions are improving considerably. While some aspects may be temporary, aren't there also quite a few structural transitions underway?"
"I wonder if we could further expand support in areas where the public can feel the tangible impact," he said.
When Minister of Planning and Budget Park Hong-keun replied, "We will discuss with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport what can be done regarding commuting outside rush hours," President Lee requested, "Please look into it."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.