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Social Affairs
[Subway Stories] Seoul’s once-thriving red-light district fades into history

The following is part of Seoul Subway Stories, a newly launched Korea Herald series exploring the subway stations and surrounding areas across the city. -- Ed. Outside exit No. 5 of Seoul’s Cheongnyangni subway station is a giant construction site. Dump trucks and heavy duty vehicles come and go, carrying building materials and occasionally making backup warning beeps. Pedestrians hasten their way through a walkway lined with safety fences to escape the intimidating sound
March 7, 2022 - 08:54:11
Social Affairs
[Subway Stories] Apgujeong is making a comeback 　

The following is part of Seoul Subway Stories, a newly launched Korea Herald series exploring the subway stations and surrounding areas across the city. – Ed. For the past 40 years, Apgujeong, the Beverly Hills of Seoul, has seen the rise and fall of its commercial corridors that have been leading trends in high fashion, fine dining and even plastic surgery in the country. Changes in consumer behavior caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic is giving fresh impetus to the dist
March 3, 2022 - 10:30:26
Social Affairs
[Subway Stories] Seoul Station, hub of mass transit and home of the homeless

Seoul Subway Stories is a newly launched Korea Herald series exploring the subway stations and surrounding areas across the city. The following is the first installment – Ed. Seoul Station has been a major transport hub in the country since its birth in 1900, its historical and practical significance making it a landmark of the city. But for decades, the station authorities, the pedestrians, and the homeless have been locked in a three-way battle that was recently further smeared
Feb. 21, 2022 - 16:29:01
Mobility
[Subway Stories] Passengers down by 25% last year amid pandemic

Seoul Metro saw the number of passengers drop by 25 percent last year compared to pre-pandemic levels, new data revealed on Thursday. The subway operator said some 1.95 billion passengers used the city’s subway system in 2021, which also connects to neighboring areas such as Incheon and Gyeonggi. The figure stood at 2.67 billion in 2019 and 1.93 billion in 2020, based on the subway lines operated by Seoul Metro. This highlights the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on one of the largest s
Feb. 3, 2022 - 17:01:17
Social Affairs
[Subway Stories] New subway names with corporate links, another pandemic effect

Starting in March, the signboards at Euljiro 3-ga and Sinyongsan stations in the Seoul Subway will become longer, with respective references to a certain company located at the station. The former will be renamed Euljiro 3-ga Shinhan Card Station and the latter Sinyongsan Amorepacific Station. The changes are the result of contracts worth 874 million won ($733,000) and 380 million won, respectively, which Seoul Metro has signed with the companies for the sale of naming rights. Under their thre
Jan. 31, 2022 - 15:55:49
Mobility
[Subway Stories] Subway made you late to work? Get proof from Seoul Metro

Seoul Subway Stories bring you interesting and informative stories about the subway in and around Seoul -- Ed. Carrying millions of commuters every day between Seoul and its sprawling suburbs, Seoul’s subway is known for its reliability. But if your train was delayed, making you late for work this morning, you can request an excuse letter from Seoul Metro. Records of train delays on Line 1 to Line 9 over the last 30 days are kept on the official Seoul Metro website. Only delays longer
Dec. 6, 2021 - 17:07:28