Card Issued for Subways and Palaces in Seoul

By Bae Ji-yeon

Intern

Foreign tourists will be able to take buses and subways as well as visit four major palaces in downtown Seoul, with a new tourism card, starting Friday.

The new service introduced by the Seoul City is the "Seoul Citypass+" in a tie-up with Korea Smart Card Co., the T-Money card issuer bus and subway, a city official said.

Cardholders are also able to visit the Joseon royal shrine, Jongmyo, and buy goods at convenience stores, he added. The four palaces are Gyeongbok, Changdeok, Changgyeong and Deoksu from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) period.

The metropolitan government is also negotiating with airport bus operators on the use of the card in their service between the airports at Incheon and Gimpo and downtown destinations in Seoul, he said.

Tickets are free or discounted by 5-20 percent when cardholders enter cultural facilities such as Seoul Museum of Art, Chongdong Theater, N Seoul Tower, Hangang Ferries, the DG63 Building, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and the theme park Lotte World.

Cardholders are also given discounts at some 60 affiliated enterprises including book stores, restaurants, optician's shops, public saunas, massage parlors, nail art shops and PC rooms.

Three Seoul Citypass+ cards are available in three categories _ adults (over 19), teenagers (13~18) and children (under 12) _ at GS25 convenience stores and tourist information centers for a deposit of 3,000 won. The card is recharged or refunded in any shop of the five convenience store chain operators _ Family Mart, GS25, Seven-Eleven, Buy The Way and Ministop.