SEOUL, South Korea – In a move to combat "no-show" passengers and deter fare evasion, South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), along with the national rail operator KORAIL and high-speed rail service SR, have announced significant increases in train ticket cancellation fees and penalties for traveling without a valid ticket, particularly on weekends and public holidays.

Effective for train departures on or after May 28th, the cancellation fees for KTX and SRT high-speed train tickets purchased for travel on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays will see a substantial surge. Notably, canceling a Seoul-Busan KTX ticket within three hours of the scheduled departure time will now cost 12,000 won, double the current rate of 6,000 won.

The revised fee structure outlines a tiered system based on the timing of the cancellation relative to the departure. Passengers canceling up to two days before departure will still incur a minimal charge of 400 won. However, cancellations made one day prior will be subject to a 5% penalty, increasing to 10% for cancellations within three hours of departure on the travel day. The steepest penalties will apply closer to departure, with a 20% charge for cancellations within the final three hours and up to the scheduled departure time, and a 30% fee for cancellations within the first 20 minutes after the train has departed.

MOLIT explained that the decision to raise cancellation fees was a direct response to the prevalent issue of passengers booking numerous seats during high-demand periods and then canceling them at the last minute. This practice effectively blocks other potential travelers from securing tickets.

In a separate measure aimed at tackling fare evasion, the surcharge for passengers found traveling without a valid ticket will also double, effective from October 1st. Currently, passengers caught without a ticket are required to pay an additional 0.5 times the standard fare. Under the new regulations, this surcharge will increase to a full 1 time the base fare. For instance, a passenger caught fare-dodging on the Seoul-Busan KTX route will face a penalty of 119,600 won, a significant increase from the current 89,700 won.

These changes are expected to discourage frivolous bookings and ensure that train seats are available to genuine travelers, especially during peak travel periods. The one-month grace period for the revised cancellation fees will allow passengers to familiarize themselves with the new regulations before they are implemented. The doubling of the fare evasion penalty underscores the authorities' commitment to maintaining fair and efficient railway services for all passengers.