Kim Hee-joong, Hanam City Council Candidate, Declares 'Half-Price Public Transportation Era for Misa Youth'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Kim Hee-joong, People Power Party candidate for Hanam City Council in the multi-member electoral district (Misa 1·2-dong), has made a dramatic announcement of a 'public transportation livelihood pledge' to sway the votes of youth and commuting workers in Misa Riverside City, launching a final all-out campaign push in the closing stages of the election.

The pledge presented by candidate Kim involves declaring a 'Half-Price Public Transportation Era for Misa Youth' that would reduce transportation costs, which constitute the largest portion of fixed expenditures for youth commuting to Seoul, by half.

The core of this pledge is to link with Seoul's 'Climate Action Card,' which has been expanded to include the Hanam section including Misa Station, and refund 50% of usage fees in local currency from Hanam City retroactively when youth aged 19-39 in Misa use the youth pass (monthly 58,000 won), which allows unlimited use including Ttareungyi bike-sharing.

If this pledge is realized, youth in Misa Riverside City will be able to use the subway, buses, and Ttareungyi between Seoul and Hanam unlimited for just 29,000 won per month (in the 20,000 won range).

For working youth who previously spent over 60,000-70,000 won monthly on transportation, an increase in disposable income of approximately 400,000 won annually is expected, substantially alleviating the heightened youth cost-of-living burden.

In particular, candidate Kim designed the refund method to be provided not in cash but in local love gift certificates called 'Hammony,' a regional currency of Hanam City.

As Gyeonggi Province and Hanam City have recently significantly relaxed the merchant standards for 'Hammony' to businesses with annual sales of 3 billion won or less, the transportation costs saved by youth will naturally flow into consumption at alleyway businesses such as cafes, restaurants, and gyms in the Misa Station commercial district and Misa Riverside City.

This is understood as a virtuous economic cycle that reduces youth living expenses while increasing sales for small business owners in the Misa commercial district—a win-win situation.

Candidate Kim Hee-joong expressed confidence in the legal and financial feasibility of implementation.

He explained that the institutional foundation is already sufficient, as Hanam City has recently begun investing budget in public transportation support and climate action card payback policies.

Candidate Kim stated, "Upon entering the city council, I will swiftly enact the 'Hanam City Youth Public Transportation Usage Support Ordinance' to establish a legal basis for support," and emphasized, "Rather than political rhetoric, I will take full responsibility for concrete city and provincial matching budget that allows Misa youth to actually feel reduced money going out from their accounts each month."

Candidate Kim continued, "Misa 1·2-dong is a district with a very high concentration of officetel and newly built apartments, with a high proportion of youth and single-person households commuting to Seoul," and appealed for overwhelming support from Misa youth, saying, "The half-price transportation pledge goes beyond simply reducing fares—it is a powerful 'public health vaccine' that simultaneously revitalizes youth housing stability and the Misa regional economy. I will become a strong pillar protecting youth wallets by forming a One-Team with provincial legislators and the mayor."