From 2023 to 2025, fare evasion on the Seoul subway averaged more than 53,000 cases a year over the past three years, and additional charges collected exceeded an annual average of 2.5 billion won, according to an analysis. In particular, about 8,800 cases were detected in the first quarter of this year alone, with 460 million won in additional charges imposed, showing fare evasion is continuing.
According to Seoul Metro on the 27th, major types of fare evasion include riding without a ticket and not reporting, fraudulent use of preferential transit cards, and misuse of discount tickets. In particular, fraudulent use of preferential transit cards accounted for about 80% of all fare evasion types, the largest share. Such misuse frequently involves borrowing a family member's or acquaintance's preferential transit card, such as a parent's or spouse's.
There are also many cases of fraudulent use of the Climate Companion Card. Since full-scale enforcement against fare evasion with the Climate Companion Card began last year, the corporation cracked down on 5,899 cases and collected about 294 million won in additional charges. Types of fraudulent use include using another person's card, passing the card around for repeated use, and improper use of the youth pass.
To prevent misuse of the Climate Companion Card, the gates are set to display purple and to play an audio message saying "youth discount," among other steps to deter fraudulent use.
All passengers must use a valid ticket under the passenger transport terms and conditions. If caught for fare evasion, they must pay the fare and an additional fare up to 30 times the fare under the Railroad Business Act and the passenger transport terms and conditions. If there is a past record of fare evasion, charges are retroactively applied to previous use.
Applying a zero-tolerance policy to fare evasion, the corporation files criminal complaints under Article 347-2 (fraud by computer, etc.) and Article 348-2 (fraudulent use of convenience facilities) of the Criminal Act if a passenger caught for fare evasion does not pay additional charges. Separate from any criminal penalties, the corporation continues to collect additional charges to the end through civil lawsuits and compulsory execution against fare evaders who have not paid. Over the past year, the corporation filed 17 civil lawsuits and carried out 40 compulsory executions against those in arrears.