An average of 155 fare evasion cases occur daily across the Seoul subway system, according to data from Seoul Metro. Over the past three years, more than 169,000 incidents were recorded on lines 1 through 8.
In 2022, Seoul Metro logged 59,490 cases, followed by 49,692 in 2023 and 60,719 in 2024. Common methods include entering without a ticket, misusing free passes intended for seniors, people with disabilities, or national merit recipients, and improperly using student discount cards.
Those caught evading fares face a surcharge of up to 30 times the base fare, in addition to the regular fee. The average annual surcharge collected from violators from 2022 to 2024 amounted to approximately 2.6 billion won (€1.8 million). From January 1 to June 20, 2025, Seoul Metro reported 27,000 fare evasion cases, collecting 1.3 billion won (€900,000) in surcharges.
Offenders who refuse to pay the fine may be subject to criminal charges and civil lawsuits. Seoul Metro has pursued over 120 civil cases to recover unpaid penalties.
Despite the absence of staff at most subway gates, fare evaders are identified through CCTV surveillance. “Trying to exploit the absence of gate staff can lead to serious consequences,” a Seoul Metro official warned.
One notable case involved a man in his 40s who used his 67-year-old mother’s senior transit card to commute on Line 5 between Kkachisan and Gimpo Airport stations. Over five months, he used the card 414 times—about 80 rides per month. After verifying the misuse through card records and CCTV footage, Seoul Metro filed both criminal and civil charges. The court ordered him to pay 18 million won (€12,500), and his name was added to the delinquent debt registry.
The transit authority is also reviewing additional measures to curb abuse of the new “Climate Companion Card,” which offers unlimited subway rides for 62,000 won (€43) per month. These include audio and visual alerts when a discounted youth version of the pass is used, and gate color changes based on the user’s demographic information. Some of these features have already been implemented.
Seoul Metro has proposed raising the fare evasion surcharge from 30 to 50 times the base fare, pending approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
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