KUALA LUMPUR - South Korea Opposition Leader,  Cho Kuk has proposed a temporary free public transport scheme for commuters as part of South Korea’s supplementary budget to address rising economic pressures.

Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, suggested adding a temporary free transit programme for commuters into the extra budget being prepared in response to the Middle East crisis, last Thursday.

“The government's measures must move away from a structure that focuses on private vehicle users. 

“Direct support for the majority of citizens who use public transportation also needs to be significantly expanded,” Cho wrote on Facebook.

He said the proposal aims to provide broader support for the public while dealing with the current economic challenges.

“I hope this supplementary budget will be filled with bold measures that go beyond responding to the immediate crisis and also protect our future.

“The Rebuilding Korea Party will present these proposals in detail during the National Assembly deliberation process,” Cho said.

Cho said current transport policies in South Korea focus too much on shifting drivers to electric or hydrogen vehicles rather than improving public transport usage.

“Currently, Korea's public transportation policy tends to focus solely on converting car users to electric or hydrogen vehicles.

“In the long run, we must reduce the total mileage of internal combustion engine vehicles through bold public transit policies while simultaneously achieving a major energy transition and a climate economy,” he continued.

He pointed to Germany’s ‘9-euro ticket’ introduced after the Russia-Ukraine War, noting its impact on public transport use and inflation.

Cho also criticised rival parties opposing the supplementary budget, accusing them of misleading the public on economic matters.

“It is nothing but public deception for the Yoon-again party, which drove Korea's economy to the brink of crisis with the December 3 insurrection, to even discuss the economy.

Meanwhile, the government plans to submit a supplementary budget worth 25 trillion won (USD17.5 billion) to the National Assembly on Saturday.

The Democratic Party of Korea aims to pass the budget during a plenary session scheduled for June 9.