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Islands of Korea, Islands of the World Islands of Korea, Islands of the World The average annual Annual Average The average annual Fare per Kilometer ISLAND Scene

Number of Ferry Passengers
ISLAND Scene
number of coastal
number of coastal

ferry passengers is
ferry passengers is
,38
13 million

13 million
Approx.

13 million
Source: Ministry of the Interior and
Korea Maritime Transportation

Safety Authority, 2022, “Coastal Ferry
Safety, 2021
Statistics”

,38

,38 ,38

,38

,38
The number of ferry operators increased from 59 in 2019 to 61 in 2021.
However, as of 2021, 36 operators (59%) were small businesses operating Coastal ITX Commuter Village Express City KTX
only 1 to 2 vessels.With the exception of long-distance operators serving Ferry Train Bus Bus Bus Train
routes like Jeju Island and Baengnyeong Island, most companies remain
small-scale and financially vulnerable.
Ferries are the primary mode of transportation connecting islands to islands
and islands to the mainland. In South Korea, where 464 islands are home to
Following the Sewol Ferry disaster, stricter regulations on vessel age were
approximately 820,000 residents, the fare for coastal ferries is significantly
implemented, leading to a reduction in ferries over 20 years old. In 2013, 122
higher compared to other transportation options. Did you know that ferry
vessels (70% of 174) were over 20 years old, but by 2021, the number had
fares are 3 times higher than metropolitan subways or express buses and 10
decreased to 26 vessels (15% of 164). times higher than ITX commuter trains?
Vol.01 Vol.01 Another growing concern is the aging workforce. As South Korea’s population
continues to age, this demographic shift will inevitably impact the age of ferry
crew members as well, posing further challenges for the industry in the future. Budget Support for Public Transportation

Ferry Routes Bus Subways
(Korea Maritime Transportation
Safety Authority, 2022, “Enhancing Average Age of Ferry Crew
Public Service for Coastal Ferries
to Promote Island Utilization”)
(Yeosu City Hall, 2021, “A Study on
Stabilizing Ferry Operations for the T
Geomun Route”)
KRW 22 KRW 463.6 billion KRW 818.7 billion
T
billion (21 times higher) (37 times higher)
T
Why are ferry fares so expensive? The reality is that ferries have only been
recognized as a form of public transportation for just two years. This
change occurred on October 8, 2020, when the Public Transportation
Although ferries are the only means of transportation connecting islands
Promotion and Use Act was amended to include ferries as part of the public
to the mainland, frequent cancellations due to bad weather often disrupt
transportation system.
routes, causing significant difficulties for island residents.
Despite this recognition, the 2022 budget allocated only KRW 22 billion across
104 ferry routes, including:
Annual Ferry Cancellation Days - KRW 7.4 billion for coastal ferry route stabilization
- KRW 14.6 billion for fare subsidies for island residents
Ulleungdo Island Baengnyeongdo Island Geomundo Island
– Pohang City – Incheon City – Yeosu City This amount remains disproportionately low compared to other public
transportation systems. To address the issue of high ferry fares, ensure
147 Days 93 Days 91 Days maritime transportation safety, and correct systemic inequities, it is imperative
30 to urgently implement a Public Ferry Service System. 31
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