According to a recent announcement by Seoul Metro, over 53,000 cases of fare evasion have been detected annually on the Seoul subway alone over the past three years. The surcharges collected from these cases exceed 2.5 billion won annually. At this point, it feels less like a simple mistake and more like a chronic problem. Especially considering that approximately 8,800 cases were detected and 460 million won in surcharges were imposed in just the first quarter of this year, this issue is ongoing.

Seoul Subway Fare Evasion: The Stark Reality of 50,000 Cases Annually and 2.5 Billion Won in Surcharges

The current state of fare evasion on the Seoul subway is more serious than one might think. Over the past three years, from 2023 to 2025, an average of over 53,000 cases of fare evasion were detected annually, resulting in surcharges exceeding 2.5 billion won each year. This is not just a monetary loss; it’s a problem that can deepen the sense of deprivation among honest citizens who pay their fares fairly. Seoul Metro maintains a strong stance, applying a ‘zero-tolerance principle’ to fare evasion.

• No Ticket/Unreported: The most basic type, using the subway without a ticket.
• Fraudulent Use of Discount Transit Cards: Borrowing and using discount cards belonging to family or acquaintances accounts for approximately 80% of all fare evasion.
• Improper Use of Discount Tickets: Cases where individuals unfairly receive discount benefits that do not apply to them.

It is important to remember that these actions are clear crimes of unauthorized use of public services, and ultimately, the losses are borne by all citizens. News of fare evasion detections, which surface periodically, leaves a bitter taste.

Fraudulent Use of Discount Transit Cards: The Irony of Accounting for 80% of All Fare Evasion

A closer look at the types of fare evasion on the Seoul subway reveals that fraudulent use of discount transit cards accounts for an overwhelming proportion. Approximately 80% of all fare evasion stems from this issue. It is truly regrettable that systems designed for the socially vulnerable, such as senior citizen discounts and disability discounts, are being exploited. Cases of borrowing parents’ or spouses’ cards for commuting have already become common.

• Borrowing Family/Acquaintance Cards: The most common is using another person’s discount card.
• Fraudulent Use of Climate Card: The recently introduced Climate Card is also being misused through methods such as using another person’s card, sharing cards, and fraudulent use of youth passes. Last year, 5,899 cases were detected.

Seoul Metro is implementing preventive measures to curb such fraudulent use, such as displaying purple indicators on turnstiles or broadcasting ‘Youth Discount’ audio messages. However, improving civic consciousness is essential for a fundamental solution to the problem.

Enhanced Enforcement: The Ultimate Fate of Fare Evasion Caught by Big Data and CCTV

In the past, fare evasion enforcement primarily relied on visual checks by station staff or random inspections. However, times have changed. Railway operators, including Seoul Metro, are enhancing their enforcement systems using big data and smart CCTV. If a specific discount card is repeatedly used during weekday rush hours, or if abnormal turnstile usage patterns are detected at a particular station, it immediately leads to monitoring and on-site enforcement.

• 30x Fare Surcharge: If caught for fare evasion, a surcharge equivalent to 30 times the fare for the relevant section must be paid.
• Retroactive Application and Legal Action: If past fare evasion records are confirmed, surcharges may be added retroactively, and refusal to pay can lead to criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and even compulsory execution.
• Real-life Cases: There are cases where a passenger who manually operated a turnstile 33 times to pass without payment at Dongnimmun Station paid 1.53 million won, and a man in his 20s who used his grandmother’s card at Yeoksam Station paid 3 million won in surcharges.

This enhanced enforcement is leading to an increase in actual detection rates. The number of fare evasion cases detected on Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail)’s metropolitan subway also increased by 60% after the introduction of big data enforcement. Now, there is no place for fare evasion to hide. It is important to remember that actions committed for momentary gain will ultimately result in a greater cost.

Public transportation belongs to everyone. Paying the fair fare is a promise and a responsibility. We hope that individuals recognize that fare evasion is an act that harms public order beyond personal conscience, and that a proper public transportation usage culture becomes established.

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Currently, there is a high demand for severe punishment for violent crimes in Korea, but at the same time, concerns about excessive punishment are consistently raised. The President’s resolute remarks in this situation are interpreted as a message that goes beyond simply improving one or two systems, calling for a re-examination of our society’s entire judicial system. Let’s delve deeper into its meaning together now.

“Abuse of Punishment? Our People Have the Most Criminal Records?” Background of the President’s Remarks

President Lee Jae-myung brought up this issue at a cabinet meeting while receiving a report on ‘Plans to Rationalize Punishment’ from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The President’s core criticism is this: by making everything from morally reprehensible acts, disciplinary matters, to civil liability for damages subject to criminal punishment, the power of investigative agencies like the prosecution has become excessively bloated, and even judicial power is being used for political purposes.

This is the background to the President’s expressions of “collapse of the principle of ‘no crime without law'” and “nation of top criminal records.” There were also criticisms that as regulations are ambiguous and broadly interpreted, society is becoming ‘without standards,’ where citizens cannot predict which actions will be punished. In fact, such issues have been consistently raised, but the President’s direct and strong mention of them carries a different meaning. In particular, the mention of criticism regarding ‘prosecutorial state-ization’ was quite strong.

5 Million Won Fine Becomes 50 Million Won Surcharge? The Two Faces of Strengthening Economic Sanctions

The President questioned the effectiveness of current criminal punishments, especially fines, and emphasized the importance of ‘economic sanctions.’ He suggested that in this day and age, strong economic sanctions like administrative fines or surcharges might be more effective than criminal penalties like fines. For example, he even said that if a 5 million won fine were changed to an administrative fine, the amount would have to be increased significantly to 50 million won or 100 million won to have a deterrent effect.

• Advantages: It can enhance crime prevention. Strong economic sanctions can be particularly effective for crimes motivated by economic gain. It can also help reduce prison overcrowding and facilitate the social reintegration of offenders. Since it is handled through administrative procedures, it also has the advantage of reducing the waste of judicial resources.
• Disadvantages: Inequality based on economic power can worsen. The same amount of fine or administrative fine might be trivial for the wealthy, but devastating for ordinary citizens. Excessive economic sanctions could potentially infringe on citizens’ fundamental rights or foster the perception that ‘money can wash away sins.’ There is also a clear concern that the meaning of ‘retribution’ or ‘social condemnation’ inherent in punishment could fade.

Honestly, I agree that economic sanctions could be effective. But am I the only one worried that it might become a system that only benefits the rich?

Crisis of the Principle of ‘No Crime Without Law’? Time to Reconsider the Essence of the Punishment System

I believe the President’s remarks ultimately pose a fundamental question about whether our society’s punishment system is properly fulfilling its original purpose. The purpose of punishment goes beyond simply ‘retribution’ for punishing criminals; it also includes ‘general prevention’ to raise awareness among community members, and ‘special prevention’ to help criminals return to society. However, if criminal punishment is overused as it is now, these essential purposes can become blurred.

• Main purposes of punishment:
  • Retribution: Ensuring that one pays a just price for the crime committed.
  • General Prevention: Warning others not to commit the same crime.
  • Special Prevention (Rehabilitation and Resocialization): Educating and improving criminals so they do not commit crimes again.
  • Incapacitation: Separating dangerous criminals from society to ensure safety.

Recently, discussions about the abolition of the death penalty and the introduction of alternative punishments are also growing louder. This also stems from deep contemplation about the essence and effectiveness of punishment. It seems to be a time when we need to put our heads together and consider not just raising or lowering the level of punishment, but what kind of sanctions are most effective and just for our society.

I hope that the President’s remarks will serve as an opportunity to end the era of excessive punishment and create a more rational and effective punishment system. I hope it doesn’t just end in political debate but leads to real change for the people. I hope everyone pays attention to this issue.

게시물 Abuse of Punishment, Nation of Top Criminal Records? 3 True Meanings Behind the President’s Remarks이 솜삽 블로그에 처음 등장했습니다.