Latest news with #ClimateCard
Korea Herald
22-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
iPhones now work for transit rides in Korea
iPhone users in South Korea can now use their devices to pay fares on public transportation, as Apple Pay began supporting Tmoney's prepaid transit card feature on Tuesday. By adding a Tmoney card to the "transit cards" section in Apple Wallet, users can tap to pay with their iPhone or Apple Watch to ride buses and the subway. Until now, iPhone users could not make contactless payments with their phones without a separate device or a physical credit card. Currently, only prepaid Tmoney cards are supported. Other options — such as postpaid cards, pre-loaded commuter passes and government-subsidized cards like the Climate Card or K-Pass — are not yet compatible. Users can top up their balance through the Tmoney app or Apple Wallet using a credit card, but only for Hyundai Card holders. Hyundai Card is currently the only card issuer in Korea that supports Apple Pay. An automatic top-up feature — replenishing the balance when it falls below a preset amount — has also been introduced for the first time globally. To use tagless payments without unlocking the device, 'Express Mode' must be enabled. The feature is available on iPhones running iOS 17.2 or later — standard on iPhone XS, XR and newer devices — and Apple Watches with watchOS 10.2 or later, including the Apple Watch Series 6, SE (2nd generation) and newer models. Tmoney emphasized that the service maintains Apple's standard security protocols. 'Apple Pay Tmoney benefits from the robust security and privacy features built into iPhone and Apple Watch,' the company said in a statement, adding that transit card information is neither stored on Apple's servers nor shared with the company. 'South Korea boasts one of the world's most advanced public transportation systems,' said Jennifer Bailey, vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. 'Our users can now access it nationwide through simple, secure payments.' The addition of public transit payments is expected to strengthen Apple Pay's foothold in Korea. Since launching in March 2023 through an exclusive partnership with Hyundai Card, the service has seen sluggish adoption due to limited acceptance at retail locations and relatively high commission fees.
Korea Herald
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Seoul mayor signals intent to seek 5th term
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon indicated he is willing to seek a third consecutive term in next year's local elections, saying he will 'work even harder' during his remaining time and 'wait for the public's judgment.' Speaking at a press briefing marking the completion of the third year of his current term, Oh stated that his desire to continue serving as the mayor of Seoul has 'grown stronger' as he has gained more insight and experience in office. 'The more I work, the more I see in what needs to be done — things that weren't noticeable before are coming into view, and I find myself growing more eager to take on new challenges,' said Oh. 'In that sense, I plan to do my best for the remainder of my term and await the people's evaluation.' Oh was elected as the mayor of Seoul in a special election in 2021 and reelected in 2022. This is his fourth term as mayor of Seoul, after previous election wins in 2006 and 2010. The next local elections, which are held every four years for governors, metropolitan and municipal mayors and provincial and municipal legislatures, are slated for June 3, 2026. When asked how he thinks the public would assess his leadership, Oh emphasized the city's housing and transportation policies. 'In terms of housing, I have great confidence that we've made meaningful changes and stayed diligent in preparing for the city's future,' Oh said. Recalling the past decade, Oh described it as a 'dark age' for new housing development, citing stalled redevelopment and limited supply. Referring to new urban planning projects being undertaken by the city government, Oh said that the city was able to secure a 'number of houses' for those seeking to settle down. 'Now it's time to ramp up the pace,' Oh added. On transportation, Oh highlighted the success of the city's Climate Card initiative, a monthly transit pass offering unlimited travel on all public transportation within the capital city. 'With the Climate Card becoming very popular among those in Seoul, we heard that many people believe their lives have greatly improved thanks to this policy and we've received much positive feedback,' Oh said. 'Based on these kinds of evaluations, we'll watch to see what kind of feedback the people will provide.' While Oh stopped short of confirming his candidacy, he hinted at firm intentions to run for a third term. 'With one year left in my term, the phrase 'wrap it up' is what I fear most,' added the Seoul mayor. 'From now on, it will be a time for a more intense execution of policies and taking on greater challenges. I will work to continue to bring the changes I started with the people of Seoul to bring greater and concrete results.' Oh also touched on his decision not to run in last month's presidential election necessitated by the impeachment and removal of Yoon Suk Yeol, calling it a 'difficult but necessary choice.' 'It would be a lie to say I had no regrets,' he said. 'But I had deep doubts about whether my candidacy at the time would help the ruling party (at the time) truly reflect on its mistakes.' Commenting on internal strife within the People Power Party, Oh pointed to declining approval ratings and criticized the party's inability to act on widely recognized issues. 'Everyone knows how the party must change, but no one seems to have the power to make it happen,' he said. 'Looking at the mainstream behavior within the party is deeply disappointing.'
Korea Herald
24-06-2025
- Korea Herald
Nearly 4,000 misuse cases reported for Seoul's ‘Climate Card' transit pass
Nearly 4,000 cases of misuse involving Seoul's all-inclusive transit card were reported during the first five months of this year, according to data released by Seoul Metro. The Climate Card, launched in January, offers unlimited access to public transportation within Seoul and select neighboring areas for 65,000 won ($48) a month. The rechargeable monthly pass has proven popular, with an average of 850,000 daily users as of April. But Seoul Metro says some riders have been abusing the system. From January through May, officials identified 3,950 misuse cases, typically caught by staff stationed near ticket gates or spotted through surveillance footage. It included adults falsely claiming youth discounts, intended for riders aged 13 to 39, and individuals sharing a single card across multiple people. Those caught face a fine equal to 30 times the standard fare. The transit authority said it is considering a revision to increase the penalty to 50 times the fare. 'We plan to strengthen enforcement and improve our response to prevent further abuse of the Climate Card,' the agency said in a statement. Officials are also preparing to introduce a new voice alert system that will announce 'youth discount' whenever a discounted card is used, as part of a broader effort to discourage unauthorized use.
Korea Herald
01-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seoul's monthly transit pass to cover more of Seongnam
Seoul's all-inclusive monthly transit pass, dubbed the 'Climate Card,' will be available for use at subway stations on the Suin-Bundang Line and the Gyeonggang Line in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, starting Saturday, according to the municipal government on Thursday. 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.
Korea Herald
24-02-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seoul launches 'GO Seoul'
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon unveils the logo of "Go Seoul," which unifies Seoul's four major public transportation systems -- the metro, buses and public bikes and Han River ferries -- with a single transit card, at a press briefing held at Seoul City Hall on Monday. Go Seoul is an expansion of the existing Climate Card, an unlimited transit card hugely popular among Seoulites and tourists. (Photo by Yonhap)
