Seoul City's 'Climate Card, Everyone's Card Integration' Sparks Conflict with Ministry: 'Not True'

Seoul City and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport are clashing again, this time over public transport discount systems. Seoul announced it would integrate its 'Climate Card' with the national 'K-Pass' system, rebranding it as 'Climate Card Plus' to offer nationwide discounts.

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We have completed consultations with the central government to name the new brand 'Climate Card Plus'.

Seoul's transportation commissioner stated that the integration was agreed upon with the central government. However, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport quickly issued a statement denying the integration, calling Seoul's announcement premature and expressing regret over the city's unilateral press release.

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It is not true that the K-Pass and Seoul's Climate Card will be integrated starting July 1.

The ministry clarified that Seoul's request to join K-Pass is under review by the Metropolitan Transport Committee, citing numerous factors like budget and system verification that need consideration. Seoul City, in turn, explained that the disagreement stems from the term 'integration,' as the ministry prefers a different approach given K-Pass is the base system. The city plans to launch 'Climate Card Plus' after sufficient consultation.

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We regret that Seoul City distributed a press release unilaterally without thorough review, despite many factors needing consideration such as budget and system verification.

This is not the first conflict between Seoul and the ministry. Previous disputes include the ministry ordering a halt to construction of a 'Garden of Gratitude' in Gwanghwamun Square and disagreements over safety checks for the GTX subway line.

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The Ministry believes the term 'integration' is inappropriate because it is based on K-Pass.