At 65 in Korea, the first thing people hear is “the subway is free.” True, but only half the story. Senior discounts come from article 26 of the Welfare of Senior Citizens Act and Annex 1 of its Enforcement Decree, and read as written the annex splits places into free, 30% or 50% off, and not listed at all. The KTX, which people ask about most, is in the third group. We also read a 2024 addition — a right to help at self-service kiosks.
1. Five kinds of place are free. Seoul-area commuter rail and urban subways, royal palaces and tombs, and national or public museums, parks and art galleries are 100% off.
2. Trains are 30% and 50%. Saemaeul and Mugunghwa trains are 30% off (Saemaeul excluded on Saturdays and public holidays), commuter trains 50%. The KTX is not in the annex.
3. The law says “may.” Article 26 says central and local government may offer discounts, and may only encourage private businesses to do so. Senior prices at cinemas or private shows are not a legal entitlement.
The article first — “may” and “encourage”
Article 26 (preferential treatment for seniors) has two layers. Paragraph 1 says central or local government may, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, let people aged 65 and over use transport and public facilities such as palaces, royal tombs, museums and parks free or at a discount. Paragraph 2 says they may encourage private businesses to offer senior discounts.
So “where and how much” is not in the Act but in Annex 1, to which Decree article 19 points. Decree article 19(2) asks you to show a resident registration card (including the mobile card) or other ID.
Annex 1 as written — free, 30%, 50%
| Facility | Discount | Annex note |
|---|---|---|
| Saemaeul and Mugunghwa trains | 30% | Fare only · Saemaeul excluded on Saturdays and public holidays |
| Commuter trains | 50% | Fare only |
| Seoul-area commuter rail | 100% | Fare only |
| Urban railways (subways) | 100% | Fare only |
| Royal palaces and tombs | 100% | — |
| National or public museums, parks, galleries | 100% | — |
| National or public Korean traditional music centres | 50% or more | — |
| Performance halls run by government bodies | 50% | In-house productions only |
The annex carries the mark “amended 13 December 2007.” The row grouping and English labels are ours; the rates and notes are the annex’s. “Fare only” means the discount applies to the fare alone.
Two points deserve a second look. The 50% at performance halls applies only to shows the hall produces itself — hired-in shows at a public venue are outside the annex. And the 30% on Saemaeul trains does not apply on Saturdays and public holidays, which is the first thing that bites when you book for a holiday.
Why the KTX is not on the list
Annex 1 names only four kinds of rail: Saemaeul, Mugunghwa, commuter trains and Seoul-area commuter rail. The KTX and SRT are not named. Any senior discount you get on high-speed trains is therefore set by the rail operator, not by the Welfare of Senior Citizens Act. Operator discounts can change by day, seat and rate, so check the discount option when you book. We did not open the operators’ terms for this article.
If your plans change after buying a ticket, refund fees come into play — the holiday fee table is in holiday train ticket refunds.
A new right from 2024 — at the kiosk
Article 26-2 was added to the Act on 22 October 2024. It requires those who provide goods or services through devices such as unmanned kiosks or apps to provide reasonable accommodation to older people. Decree article 19-2 ties the standard to the one under the Framework Act on Intelligent Informatization (its Decree article 15(1)) and splits the timing: devices newly installed from 23 October 2025 must comply immediately, and existing devices by 28 January 2026.
What counts as “reasonable accommodation” — text size, voice guidance, a staff call button and so on — is set by the linked standard, whose detailed items we did not reproduce. What is certain is that asking for help at an ordering machine is not asking for a favour but requesting an accommodation written into law.
Checklist — before you go out
- ☐ ID — a physical resident registration card or the mobile card (Decree article 19(2)).
- ☐ Trains — on a Saemaeul, is it a Saturday or public holiday? For the KTX, check the operator’s discount when booking.
- ☐ Shows — even at a public venue, is it an in-house production?
- ☐ Museums and palaces — free if national or public. Private museums are outside the annex.
Questions that remain
Does it start on my 65th birthday or in the year I turn 65?
Article 26 says only “persons aged 65 or over.” It reads as international age, from the birthday on. Procedures such as issuing a senior transit card differ by agency, so check your local government’s guidance too.
What about cinemas or theme parks?
They are not in Annex 1. They fall under the “encourage” of article 26(2), so any discount is the business’s choice.
Do I need to receive the Basic Pension?
No. Article 26 sets only an age test. Income and assets are tested for the Basic Pension, a separate scheme.
Sources
- Welfare of Senior Citizens Act [in force 24 Jan 2026] [Act No. 20093] — original text (checked 29 September 2026). Source for article 26 (“may”, “encourage”) and article 26-2 (added 22 October 2024, reasonable accommodation).
- Enforcement Decree of the same Act [in force 24 Jan 2026] [Presidential Decree No. 36050] — original text. Source for article 19 (showing ID) and article 19-2 (the standard and the dates 23 October 2025 and 28 January 2026).
- Annex 1 of the Decree, facilities and discount rates — annex text. Source for 30%, 50%, 100% and the notes (fare only, Saturdays and holidays, in-house productions).
Where to check further
- Senior transit cards — issuance differs by city and operator; ask your community centre or the subway operator.
- KTX and SRT senior discounts — the discount option on the operator’s booking screen.
- Basic Pension — our Basic Pension guide.
Written on 29 September 2026. Articles and annex are from the National Law Information Center; the table layout and explanations are ours. If your parents still drive, see also driving licences at 70 and 75.
