Seoul Transportation Corp. lost the first trial of a 3.7 billion won ($2.7 million) damages suit it brought against the state seeking reimbursement for free subway rides granted to persons of national merit.
The 36th civil division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Kwon Tae-kwan, said on the 9th that it was dismissing the corporation's claim in the suit seeking subsidy payments from the state. The court also rejected the corporation's request to refer the matter to the Constitutional Court for review. The corporation had argued that the statute limiting state subsidies to the extent of available budget is unconstitutional.
Under the Act on Honorable Treatment and Support of Persons of National Merit and related laws, persons of national merit, including patriots and independence activists, are entitled to ride the subway free of charge. The laws also allow the state to pay subsidies to operators that provide the free-ride service, within the limits of available budget.
The corporation filed the suit in July last year after repeatedly asking the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs for subsidy payments without success. It calculated its claim at 3.7 billion won, the amount it says it lost in 2024 from free rides by persons of national merit.
