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Dongbaek Pass Surpasses 800,000 Subscribers: Busan Expands Citizen Benefits Through Integration with K-Pass and Launches Promotional Campaign

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it plans to reorganize the Dongbaek Pass system so that, starting in April, citizens will be able to use Busan’s public transportation without limit for 45,000 KRW per month by improving integration with the public transportation fare refund support program “Card for Everyone,” which is being expanded nationwide this year by the Metropolitan Transport Commission of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The government’s “Card for Everyone,” introduced in January of this year, allows users of the standard “General” type to receive a refund for the entire amount exceeding 55,000 KRW in monthly public transportation spending.

The currently operating Dongbaek Pass system provides refunds for public transportation expenses exceeding 45,000 KRW per month, up to a maximum refund limit of 45,000 KRW. Once the two systems are integrated, users who subscribe to both Dongbaek Pass and K-Pass will be able to receive unlimited refunds for any public transportation spending exceeding 45,000 KRW per month when using public transportation in Busan.

Since its launch in August 2023 as the first initiative of its kind nationwide, the Dongbaek Pass has continuously expanded user-centered services, including the Youth Dongbaek Pass introduced in July 2024 and the Mobile Dongbaek Pass introduced in July 2025.

As of the end of January 2026, 813,298 people had subscribed to and were using the Dongbaek Pass. According to a citizen survey conducted by the Busan Institute in the first half of 2025 with 1,000 users, 93 percent of respondents reported satisfaction with the program. The results also showed that the system has contributed to increased public transportation use by encouraging a modal shift from private cars to public transportation.

Busan Metropolitan City has already completed consultations with the central government regarding operational coordination and is currently developing the integrated system.

Once the integration system is completed in April, existing Dongbaek Pass users will be able to continue using their current Dongbaek Pass card without needing to issue an additional card. By registering for both Dongbaek Pass and K-Pass membership and using public transportation, refund benefits will be automatically applied depending on usage amount and conditions.

Because the K-Pass program is funded 50 percent by the national government, this integration is also expected to reduce the financial burden of the Dongbaek Pass program, which has been operated entirely with Busan Metropolitan City funds.

In addition, to inform citizens about the system changes, Busan Metropolitan City launched a campaign today (the 4th) starting at 8:00 a.m. at Seomyeon Intersection, Seomyeon Station on the urban railway, and City Hall Station to promote the improved integration of Dongbaek Pass and K-Pass and encourage the use of public transportation.

Approximately 100 city officials, including Mayor Park Heong-joon, participated in the campaign, promoting detailed information about the system to citizens and encouraging public transportation use. After the campaign, participants also commuted to City Hall by urban railway.

This event was organized ahead of the improved integration of Dongbaek Pass and K-Pass scheduled to take effect on April 1. It was designed to begin both online and offline promotional activities using various media channels to provide accurate information about the system improvements and allow more citizens to benefit from the program.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “The Dongbaek Pass, first introduced nationwide in Busan, surpassed 800,000 subscribers in January 2026 and has firmly established itself as Busan Metropolitan City’s representative transportation policy. We will continue to promote the program with the goal of reaching one million subscribers.”

He added, “As user benefits expand through simultaneous enrollment in Dongbaek Pass and K-Pass, we will continue promoting the improved integration of Dongbaek Pass and K-Pass (Card for Everyone) to increase citizen benefits while reducing the city’s financial burden.”