K-Pass (K-패스)? Modu Card (모두의 카드)? Gihu Donghaeng Pass (기후동행패스) — A Simple Guide
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This is Vijob. 👋
If you go to school or work part-time in Seoul and often use public transportation, K-Pass (K-패스), Modu Card (모두의카드), and Gihu Donghaeng Pass (기후동행패스) can be confusing.
To get straight to the point,
If you are a K-Pass user verified as a Seoul resident, you do not need to make a new card.
From 2026-09-01, Gihu Donghaeng Pass benefits are applied automatically.
💳 K-Pass, Modu Card, and Gihu Donghaeng Pass — what’s different?
K-Pass
K-Pass is a public transportation fare refund program that gives you back a certain percentage of what you spend on buses, subways, and other public transportation across Korea.
The basic refund rate varies by user type: 20% for general users, 30% for young adults, and 53.3% for low-income users.
Simply put, you get a percentage of your transportation expenses refunded based on how much you use.Modu Card
Modu Card is an upgraded version of K-Pass that adds a fixed-threshold refund option.
There are now two refund methods:Percentage-based: A certain percentage of your transportation expenses is refunded.
Threshold-based: If your monthly transportation expenses exceed a set amount, the amount above that threshold is refunded.
You don’t have to choose. The system automatically applies whichever option gives you the larger refund.
If you are already using the K-Pass app and card, you do not need to sign up again or get a new card. Existing users can keep using their current card, and the new Modu Card refund benefits will be applied automatically. The app has simply been renamed “Modu Card (K-Pass)”, so you do not need to choose between the percentage-based and threshold-based refund options yourself.
Climate Companion Pass
The Climate Companion Pass adds special benefits for Seoul residents to Modu Card.
If you are registered as a Seoul resident, you can receive nationwide public transportation refunds together with Seoul-specific benefits.
One major change is that Seoul has expanded its youth eligibility from ages 19–34 to ages 19–39.
🎓 If you are an international student in Seoul, check this only
If you live in Seoul, are enrolled in K-Pass, and have completed address verification for your Seoul address, no separate transition procedure is needed.
In particular, under Gihu Donghaeng Pass, the Seoul Metropolitan Government youth benefit eligibility
expanded from ages 19 to 34 → ages 19 to 39.
So foreign students aged 35 to 39 should also check whether they qualify.
🤔 It’s different from the existing ‘Gihu Donghaeng Card (기후동행카드)’
Gihu Donghaeng Card
→ Pay a set amount and use Seoul public transportation without limitsGihu Donghaeng Pass
→ Refund actual transportation costs based on K-Pass
The existing Gihu Donghaeng Card is being phased out gradually, while short-term passes will continue to operate.
🚇Gihu Donghaeng Pass on-site promotion booth
Operating period: 9-01 ~ 10-02 (※ Sundays and public holidays excluded)
Operating hours:
Weekdays: 07:00~11:00 / 16:00~20:00
Saturdays: 10:00~18:00
Locations: Seoul Station (서울역), Seongsu Station (성수역), Konkuk Univ. Station (건대입구역), City Hall Station (시청역), Yeonsinnae Station (연신내역), Nowon Station (노원역), Hongik Univ. Station (홍대입구역), Jamsil Station (잠실역), Sadang Station (사당역), Seolleung Station (선릉역), Yeouido Station (여의도역), Gasan Digital Complex Station (가산디지털단지역)
Main benefits:
Existing Gihu Donghaeng Card physical card → free exchange for a Gihu Donghaeng Pass physical card
When the Modu Card transition is completed, a convenience store coupon worth 2,000 won will be given
For seniors, app installation and K-Pass registration support
Inquiries:
Dasan Call Center (다산콜센터) ☎ 02-120
Tmoney customer center ☎ 1644-0088
💬 Still confused?
If you’re wondering whether international students can use it too, or how address verification works, feel free to leave a comment!
Or ask foreign seniors who have already tried it first in the Vijob Community. 🙌
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Vijob will be with you through every step of your life in Korea. 💙