
Seoul's monthly transit pass to cover more of Seongnam
The Climate Card is a rechargeable monthly transit pass that gives commuters access to public transport systems within the administrative boundaries of Seoul as well as select neighboring cities on the city's outskirts.
From Saturday, the Climate Card can be used at 10 subway stations on the Suin-Bundang Line -- including Gachon University Station, Taepyeong Station, Moran Station, Yatap Station, Imae Station, Seohyeon Station, Sunae Station, Jeongja Station, Migeum Station and Ori Station.
It will also be available for use at three stations on the Gyeonggang Line, including Pangyo Station, Seongnam Station and Imae Station.
This expands the range of Seoul's Climate Card from seven subway stations in Seongnam between Moran Station and Namwirye Station on Seoul Metro's Line No. 8 to a total of 20 stations across Seongnam. The monthly transit pass can also be used on 11 Seoul city bus routes that pass through Seongnam, said the city government.
However, for subway stations in Seongnam on the Shinbundang Line, the Climate Card will not be available for use as the line is operated by a private company, unlike other lines run by public enterprises such as Korail and Seoul Metro.
The expansion of the Climate Card in Seongnam comes as part of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's efforts to make its transit pass accessible for commuters traveling between Seoul and its neighboring cities for work and school.
Since expanding to Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, in March 2024, the transit pass has been available for use in eight other cities including Incheon, Gunpo, Gwacheon, Goyang, Namyangju, Guri and Uijeongbu.
On Feb. 8, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon added that the city plans to expand the Climate Card to three other neighboring cities: Gwangmyeong, Anyang and Yangju. Oh added that the city is also looking into integrating the Climate Card with K-pass, a public transportation fare refund service run by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Korea Herald
Enhypen's Bangkok fan events draw praise from former Thai culture minister
Hybe's immersive promotions win fans and official recognition during stadium tour stop Bangkok transformed into a vibrant celebration of Enhypen, as the K-pop group brought its world tour to Thailand last month and earned official praise from the country's leading cultural office. Enhypen is managed by Belift Lab, a subsidiary of Hybe, which has rolled out a series of fan-focused events across Bangkok tied to the 'Walk the Line' tour. These initiatives infused Enhypen's branding into local cultural promotions, offering fans more than just a concert — they created an immersive citywide experience. Enhypen's fan engagement programs in Bangkok will continue through the end of July. The events received high praise from Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, who served as Thailand's Minister of Culture until last month. In an official commendation, she lauded Hybe and Enhypen for raising global awareness of Thai culture. 'The promotional designs creatively combined traditional Thai architecture with modern urban identity to express 'Thainess' in a fresh and engaging way,' she said. 'This event holds significant cultural, entertainment and economic value, and deserves recognition.' She also emphasized the broader impact of hosting internationally renowned Korean artists. 'Hosting such stars offers unforgettable experiences for both fans and the Thai public. I deeply appreciate this visionary effort to enhance the country's image and build lasting international goodwill,' she added. The campaign offered several standout highlights. Limited-edition transit cards bearing the members' portraits sold out instantly, and photo booths in city centers drew constant attention. Oversized outdoor ads — including banners near Suvarnabhumi International Airport — reinforced Enhypen's presence throughout the capital. A specially themed hotel room package sold out just three minutes after launch. Meanwhile, six Thai food and beverage brands across 116 outlets introduced Enhypen-branded menu items, selling approximately 40,000 units. One of the most popular collaborations featured Butterbear, a beloved local character dressed in Enhypen's tour outfits. The illustrations appeared on packaging, stickers and postcards, creatively weaving K-pop imagery into daily life. Meanwhile, Enhypen drew around 30,000 fans to the Rajamangala National Stadium, June 21, Thailand's largest concert venue. After performing at Tokyo Dome in July, the group heads to Osaka next month. 'Walk the Line' world tour will then visit 10 cities across the United States and Europe in August and September, before concluding with a stop in Singapore in October.


Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Korea Herald
Surak Hyu, Seoul's 1st urban forest retreat offers treehouse stays, digital detox
Surak Hyu invites urbanites to unplug, unwind and rediscover wonder among the trees – all without leaving the city Nestled at the foot of Suraksan in northern Seoul, a new forest retreat is offering city dwellers a chance to reconnect with nature without leaving the city. Surak Hyu, officially opened Thursday, is Korea's first urban-style forest recreation facility, combining serene woodland experiences with modern, minimalist accommodation. Operated by the Nowon District Office, Surak Hyu is just 2 kilometers from Bureamsan Station on Seoul Subway Line No. 4. Despite its proximity to the city, the moment visitors cross the wooden bridge over a gentle stream into the facility, the scent of phytoncide from the trees welcomes them into another world. The retreat consists of 25 rooms, including three elevated treehouse-style accommodations perched 14 meters above ground, each accommodating up to four guests. All rooms are named with poetic themes, such as After the Rain Comes Sunshine, A Day Like a Picnic and A Slice of Sunlight, and are decorated in natural wood and white tones. Large glass windows on the walls, ceilings and balconies offer panoramic views of lush greenery, enhancing the feeling of being immersed in nature. Guests check in at the visitor center, which faces a well-tended garden filled with hydrangeas, herbs and fairy-themed decor. ' It feels like a little village of forest fairies,' one visitor who was invited to a preview one-night stay event on July 9-10 noted, talking about the whimsical fairy houses hidden throughout the garden. Visitors are encouraged to write down their worries and float them on the spring at the fairy houses — a small detail that adds to the magic of the place. Rooms range from triple to seven-person occupancies, with weekday rates starting at 120,000 won ($85) and weekend rates starting at 150,000 won. The largest seven-person rooms go for 145,000 won on weekdays and 180,000 won on weekends. Treehouses cost 200,000 won on weekdays and 250,000 won on weekends. Check-in is at 3 p.m., and check-out is at 11 a.m. One key element of Surak Hyu is its dedication to digital detox. There are no TVs in the rooms. Instead, guests can borrow books and vinyl records from a cozy cafe adjacent to the visitor center. The collection ranges from jazz and pop to K-pop, along with several books by Nobel literature laureate Han Kang. There are also board games available at the cafe. Guests simply provide their room number to borrow items and return them upon check-out. With music, literature and the forest just outside, Surak Hyu encourages a slower, more mindful pace of living. Meals are served at the retreat's sole dining facility, Seasons of Seoul by Hong Shinae, a nature-inspired restaurant specializing in traditional Korean vegetable wraps and wholesome meals. A standout dish is the Hong Shinae Signature Kimchi Stew, priced at 22,000 won. 'The food is clean and decent in flavor, but the price point is a bit high and there's only one restaurant, so it feels limiting,' a visitor in her 50s told the Korea Herald. Evening meals are exclusively Korean, but the late-night snack menu, available from 8 p.m., includes fish and chips. A campfire zone near the visitor center opens at sunset, offering an ambient spot for forest bathing under the stars. Even during summer, the retreat remains comfortably cool thanks to breezes flowing through the trees. Several outdoor programs are currently in development, including stargazing with telescopes, forest interpretation walks and traditional Korean archery. The facility also plans to launch a range of new experiences by the end of the year, including a barrier-free forest trail, a creekside picnic area and a children's forest playground. Three additional treehouses designed for children's play are under construction, and the construction of a forest healing center equipped with wooden wellness baths and foot spas is scheduled to begin next year with completion expected in 2027. Suamsa Temple, a 1,000-year-old Buddhist temple, lies just behind the retreat and offers a quiet space for contemplative walks. Reservations for Surak Hyu are managed via On the 7th of each month, 50 percent of the following month's rooms are released exclusively for Nowon-gu residents, while the general public can access the remaining inventory starting on the 10th. When bookings opened in June for the retreat's inaugural month, all rooms, including weekday slots, were snapped up in under three minutes, signaling intense public interest. 'We paid attention to every little detail so that people would be amazed not only by the forest, but also by the facilities and activities,' said Oh Seung-rok, chief of the Nowon District Office. 'Surak Hyu's evolution will continue until it is recognized not just as Seoul's first, but as Korea's best forest retreat.' He added, 'We hope guests will feel the truth of the phrase 'Everything comes from the forest' with their whole being and enjoy a day of complete harmony between nature and culture.'


Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Korea Herald
New science minister pledges to make Korea AI powerhouse
Science and ICT Minister Bae Kyung-hoon officially began his tenure on Thursday, becoming the first Cabinet minister to take office under the Lee Jae Myung administration. In his inaugural speech at Sejong Government Complex, Bae pledged to lead a national transformation powered by artificial intelligence and advanced science and technology. 'The future of our nation will depend on how we design strategies and respond to the coming wave of innovation and change,' he said. Bae is one of Korea's leading private-sector AI experts. As the founding president of LG AI Research, the artificial intelligence arm of LG Group, he played a key role in spearheading the development of the conglomerate's hyperscale language model Exaone from December 2020 until he was nominated as the new minister. He also served in key government advisory roles related to AI governance and privacy. He previously held the chief position of the AI technology division at LG Uplus and practiced various AI applications at SK Telecom. Bae has earned a Ph.D. in electronic engineering from Kwangwoon University and completed an executive program for AI: Implications for Business Strategy from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The new minister emphasized that Korea, now standing among the ranks of advanced nations, must break away from outdated approaches to achieve its next goals, including raising the country's potential growth rate to 3 percent and joining the world's top five economic powers. He went on to emphasize the need for a bold transformation, saying, 'We must secure a unique competitive edge that no other country can replicate, and bring about a groundbreaking shift through a national transition rooted in AI and cutting-edge science and technology to enhance efficiency and productivity.' Highlighting AI as the driving force of the new era, Bae said its influence is rapidly permeating all aspects of society beyond industry and the economy. To navigate the shift, he proposed fostering top-tier talent, building an innovation-friendly ecosystem and spearheading a nationwide transformation centered on AI and cutting-edge technologies. He outlined four key policy directions: establishing a robust AI ecosystem, revitalizing the research and development innovation landscape, nurturing world-class talent in AI and science, and addressing pressing challenges closely tied to people's daily lives. "To achieve the vision of becoming one of the world's top three AI powerhouses — the first pledge of the People's Sovereignty Government — we will build a robust AI ecosystem and create an environment where AI is accessible to all,' the minister said. He emphasized the importance of establishing AI and digital infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity systems, securing foundational AI models, promoting AI transformation and supporting AI semiconductors. Bae also announced plans to restore the grassroots-level basic research initiatives that had been phased out, ensuring stable and sufficient R&D funding. 'We will support the adoption of AI within scientific research itself,' he said. In terms of talent development, Bae proposed enhancing support for young scientists, establishing AI-centered universities, and improving working conditions at government-funded research institutes.