Lee proposes higher refund of fare for off-peak commuters

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SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday proposed increasing the reimbursement of fares for people who use public transportation outside peak commuting hours.

Lee made the proposal at a Cabinet meeting after the transport ministry reported that the reimbursement rate for public transportation users traveling outside peak commuting hours has been raised from 20 percent to 30 percent.

President Lee Jae Myung (C) speaks during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Sept. 29, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

"Doesn't the fact that people are avoiding rush-hour commuting to save on transportation costs show how difficult their situation is? For people who are struggling financially, isn't a 20 to 30 percent refund insufficient?" Lee said.

The president noted that easing rush-hour congestion also aligns with government policy and serves the national interest.

Lee said he believes higher refunds would help people who already face the hardship of starting work as early as 4:30 or 5 a.m., for instance.

"I don't want to put a specific figure on it, but wouldn't covering about half the cost be reasonable?" he said, adding the increase would not require much additional budget.

Budget Minister Park Hong-geun responded to Lee's proposal, saying he will consult with the transport minister on the matter.

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Lee proposes higher refund of fare for off-peak commuters

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首尔，9月29日（韩联社）——李在明总统周二提议提高非高峰通勤时段乘坐公共交通工具的乘客的票价报销额度。

在交通部报告称非高峰通勤时段公共交通乘客的报销比例已从 20% 提高到 30% 之后，李显龙在内阁会议上提出了这项提议。

2026年9月29日，韩国总统李在明（中）在首尔青瓦台举行的内阁会议上发表讲话。（联社照片）（韩联社）

李说：“人们为了节省交通费用而避开高峰时段通勤，这难道不说明他们的处境有多艰难吗？对于经济拮据的人来说，20%到30%的退款难道还不够吗？”

总统指出，缓解高峰时段交通拥堵也符合政府政策，符合国家利益。

李表示，他相信提高退税额将有助于那些已经面临凌晨 4:30 或 5 点就开始工作的人们，让他们摆脱困境。

“我不想给出具体数字，但承担大约一半的费用难道不合理吗？”他说道，并补充说，增加的费用不需要太多额外的预算。

预算部长朴洪根回应了李的提议，表示他将就此事咨询交通部长。

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8月份韩国的外国人数量达到280万。

（第三项）李呼吁恢复与墨西哥的贸易协定谈判，以提升经济合作水平。

李提议提高非高峰时段通勤者的车费退款额度