Initiative born from Marine Corps proposal at Yeonpyeong Island
Military, police, firefighters and public health doctors all eligible
Program open regardless of Incheon residency, starting Monday
Public workers who brave rough seas to guard South Korea's frontline islands will soon face a far lighter burden when traveling to and from their posts.
Incheon is overhauling its transportation welfare network for workers stationed in remote island areas.
Starting Monday, the city will expand its "Incheon i Bada Pass" program to cover soldiers, military civilian employees, police officers, firefighters and public health doctors working on islands, the city announced Thursday.
Under the expansion, roughly 1,700 public workers stationed on frontline islands — regardless of whether they are registered residents of Incheon — will be able to ride coastal passenger ferries for 1,500 won, the same rate as a standard city bus fare and the same price available to Incheon residents.
The policy was sparked by a voice from the field. During a presidential visit to the Marine Corps' Yeonpyeong Island unit in June, troops raised concerns about the heavy cost of ferry fares when taking leave or going out.
Incheon Mayor Park Chan-dae immediately directed officials to find a solution, and within two months the city had pushed through the necessary amendments to the relevant municipal ordinance enforcement rules.
Notably, the revised rules go beyond the career military personnel originally discussed. The city broadened eligibility to include all frontline workers serving in remote postings — covering public safety, firefighting and community medicine — to preemptively close gaps in the policy's coverage.
Previously, only residents registered in Incheon were eligible, meaning soldiers and uniformed civil servants from other parts of the country had to pay fares close to the full price.
From Monday, the city will cover the full difference between the 1,500-won flat fare and the combined total of the regular fare, fuel surcharge and terminal usage fee.
The city expects the measure to go beyond boosting morale among frontline workers, hoping it will also improve living conditions on the islands and help revitalize island communities.
The city has been steadily expanding its maritime transportation welfare offerings: since July, it has also applied the 1,500-won fare to former island residents and their families — those who were once registered on an island or lived there for at least 10 years.
"Those who stand at the very front lines of national security, public safety and healthcare deserve special recognition for their extraordinary sacrifice," Park said. "We will continue to find practical welfare policies that improve living conditions and make our islands a place where anyone would want to stay."
gilbert@heraldcorp.com
