Busan’s urban railway ran without disruption on 23 October 2026 after Busan Transportation Corp. and its labor union reached a tentative agreement in the early hours of the morning, pulling back from what had been a credible strike threat.
The two sides concluded their 19th round of collective bargaining talks around 11 p.m. on 22 October at the Nopo rail depot in Geumjeong district. Negotiations had broken down earlier in the week over wording on a joint labor-management cooperation body, but resumed through an emergency session and ended with the union withdrawing its strike notice.
What Was Agreed
The tentative deal covers:
- A request to Busan City Hall to add 29 employees to the corporation’s headcount
- A 3.5% wage increase
- A joint task force to calculate and deploy on-site safety personnel
- Improved working conditions and shift arrangements for non-civil-service workers
- Measures to address staffing shortfalls at subsidiaries and end discriminatory treatment
What Travelers Need to Know
Service across Busan’s metro network was running normally from the first train on 23 October, and remains unaffected as of publication. However, the tentative deal is not yet final. It must be approved by union delegates and then ratified by a membership vote. If either step fails, a strike could still be called with relatively short notice.
Travelers with plans in Busan this week should monitor the situation. The metro is the most reliable way to get around Busan, connecting Haeundae Beach, Jagalchi Market, Nampo, Seomyeon and the main bus and rail terminals. Bus and taxi alternatives exist for most routes, but can be significantly slower during peak hours.
If you are planning a multi-city trip, our guide to getting around South Korea covers the full range of transport options, including KTX connections between Seoul and Busan.
Background
Busan Transportation Corp. has now operated without a completed labor dispute for nearly seven consecutive years. If the ratification vote passes, that record will hold. Previous collective bargaining rounds ended without a strike, but this year’s talks came closer to a breakdown than in previous cycles.
We will update this page if the ratification outcome changes the situation for travelers.