COVID-19: Focus on cities and transport responses – South Korea

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First written on 20 April 2020, featuring insights from ICLEI Korea Office

Despite a spike in infections in February 2020, South Korea has been praised globally for its success in containing the spread of the virus. The fast and decisive response included the deployment of technology-enabled contact tracing and monitoring, extensive testing, transparent policies, and citizens’ critical support. Thanks to these measures, South Korea managed to put the peak of the spread behind so far without going into lockdown, unlike many other countries across the globe.

On 20 February, when there were just 82 confirmed cases nation-wide according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Daegu, a city with 2.46 million inhabitants, recommended their citizens to leave their homes only when strictly necessary, while on 21 February, Seoul Metropolitan Government, with 9.7 million inhabitants, preemptively closed public spaces.

While South Koreans are not subjected to travel restrictions, local businesses such as restaurants, have registered lower revenues. In some cities, such as Daegu, the government has announced tax breaks.

The Program Officer, EcoMobility of ICLEI Korea, Yoonjin Cho, shares below some observations, which exemplifies the immediate impact on traffic and public transport, the rolling-out of special transport services, and technology-enabled delivery services.

49629429207_ba284a15b2_c — A worker sprays disinfectant on the streets of Busan (Photo by Jens-Olaf Walter on Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/2iBzNeV)

Traffic plummeted along with patronage to public transport

It seems overall traffic has declined both from public and private transport in South Korea. For example, Seoul’s car traffic in March decreased by 7.2 percent, and the number of passengers in public transport went down by 34.5 percent compared to January. In Busan City, the second-largest city in South Korea, the rate of public transport use decreased by half compared to the same period last year right after the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in the city: Metro -58.3 percent, bus -50.4 percent, village bus -51 percent.

The revenue plunge from transport operations has prompted some city governments to reduce income projections from public transport in the hope of receiving emergency funds. For instance, in the last week of February 2020, Busan’s rail transport revenue decreased by 3 billion won (2.3 million Euros), while the bus service decreased by 3.7 billion won (2.8 million Euros). To reduce the deficit in the city’s budget, Busan has readjusted the revenue projections and applied for emergency funds.

Seoul has also started to stop operating Seoul Metro after midnight for disinfection measures since April 2020.

New services: Vehicles with special transport measures

A special transport service has been deployed to contain the spread of COVID-19. Since April 2020, all passengers entering South Korea must undergo a two weeks self-quarantine. Dedicated bus and train services, along with special taxis for incoming passengers from foreign countries, are operated. Many local governments run their own direct transport service from Incheon airport/international airport to inspection centers stationed in each region.

49629143486_2c2a3a73f4_b — Metro in Busan (Photo by Jens-Olaf Walter on Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/2iBykiG)

Impact on local businesses and how South Korean cities are supporting them

COVID-19 affects the food delivery industry in South Korea. Small food businesses have started to join app-based delivery service networks because of the decline of sales from their store, while the demand for delivery service has rapidly increased. Recent complaints against commissions charged by delivery platforms triggered the development of a publicly-owned delivery system. For instance, the Municipality of Sungdong-gu has released their new delivery system connecting customers and traditional markets. The city offers a call center and motorcycle riders. Other local and subnational governments, starting from Gunsan, Gyeonggi, and Gyeongbuk, have announced to develop regionally based delivery applications that are free of all commissions.