On the 15th, it was learned that Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) must pay a total of about 670 million won in train delay compensation to passengers in connection with last month's collapse of the Seosomun overpass. The payment will go to about 110,000 passengers, with about 6,000 won per person.
Delay compensation is paid to passengers when a train is delayed 20 minutes or more due to KORAIL's responsibility. For tickets paid by credit card, refunds are made automatically. For cash payments, passengers must apply directly on KORAIL's website, its mobile application (app), or at a station ticket window within one year to receive it.
According to KORAIL on the day, the collapse of the Seosomun overpass in Seodaemun District, Seoul, at about 2:33 p.m. on the 26th of last month caused delays for KTX, Saemaeul, Mugunghwa and other trains, totaling 300 cases over four days. The number of delays on the day of the accident was the highest at 99. The counts were 75 on the 27th, 47 on the 28th, and 79 on the 29th.
KORAIL is to pay 674 million won in delay compensation to 112,409 passengers. The average is about 6,000 won per person. Delay compensation is based on KORAIL's passenger transport terms and the Korea Fair Trade Commission's consumer dispute resolution standards. It is paid differentially by delay time. For delays of 20–40 minutes, KORAIL compensates passengers 12.5% of the fare; 40 minutes to 1 hour, 25%; and 1 hour or longer, 50%.
Delay compensation is paid differently depending on the ticket payment method. For credit card payments, the delay compensation amount is automatically refunded. For cash payments, passengers must apply separately within one year from the date of delay on the website, on KORAIL Talk, or at a station ticket window to receive it.
KORAIL is reportedly set to calculate the total amount of damage from this accident and file a recourse claim against the Seoul city government. In addition to delay compensation, KORAIL is tallying business losses from service cancellations, labor costs and equipment rental fees incurred during facility restoration, and damage to facilities such as overhead lines.