Seoul Bus Strike Ends After a Two-Day Walkout — Here’s What Was Decided

Intermediate | January 17, 2026

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What Happened: Seoul bus strike ends and Service Comes Back

After two stressful days for commuters, the Seoul bus strike ends with a late-night wage deal between labor and management. Bus service restarted with the first departures early Thursday morning, bringing some much-needed peace back to Seoul’s morning commute. (Korea JoongAng Daily)

The Deal: Wage Increase + A Retirement-Age Step-Up

So what did they agree on? Reports say both sides accepted a mediation proposal that included a 2.9% wage increase and a phased retirement-age increase. The retirement age is set to rise from 63 to 64 in July, then to 65 in July 2027. The wage increase was higher than an earlier mediation proposal of 0.5%, but slightly below the union’s demand for 3%. (The Straits Times)

How the Agreement Was Reached (It Wasn’t Quick)

The agreement came after a marathon bargaining session at a labor relations commission office in Seoul, where negotiations ran for about nine hours and wrapped up close to midnight. The strike itself began around 4 a.m. Tuesday, so the city had to operate in emergency mode for two full commuting cycles. (KBS World)

The Real Impact: Why Commuters Felt It Immediately

This strike hit hard because buses are a major part of daily life in Seoul. On Wednesday morning, only 562 out of 7,018 city buses were operating — that’s about 8%. Another report said the walkout paralyzed roughly 93% of the fleet, pushing people onto crowded subways and long taxi lines. In other words, when the Seoul bus strike ends, it’s not just a labor headline — it’s a citywide relief moment. (The Korea Times, The Straits Times)

Seoul’s Emergency Response: Subways, Extra Trains, and Charter Buses

To reduce the chaos, Seoul expanded subway support during rush hour. The city increased extra subway services from 172 to 203, extended peak service hours, sent empty trains to overloaded stations, and boosted safety staffing at major stations. The city also mobilized hundreds of charter buses, including 677 buses on 134 routes in one day, carrying 86,035 passengers — and later increased the total to 763. Seoul said it would lift these emergency measures once normal bus service returned. (The Korea Times, Korea JoongAng Daily)

The Deeper Issue: Wages, Bonuses, and “Base Pay” Rules

One reason this dispute got complicated is that it wasn’t only about the size of the raise — it was also about how wages are calculated. One report pointed to an October appellate court ruling saying bonuses should be included when calculating base pay, which can change the entire pay structure. In the final talks, that bigger pay-structure issue was reportedly set aside so both sides could lock in the agreement and get buses running again. (The Straits Times)

Vocabulary

Walkout (noun) – a strike where workers stop working and leave the job.
Example: The walkout shut down most city buses for two days.
Mediation (noun) – help from a neutral third party to reach an agreement.
Example: The final deal was reached through mediation at a labor commission.
Compromise (noun) – an agreement where both sides give up something.
Example: The union accepted a compromise on the wage increase.
Phased (adjective) – done step-by-step over time.
Example: The retirement-age change will be phased in over the next two years.
Retirement age (noun) – the age when workers are expected to stop working.
Example: The retirement age will rise from 63 to 65.
Disruption (noun) – an interruption that causes problems.
Example: The strike caused major disruption during rush hour.
Fleet (noun) – a group of vehicles operated by one system or company.
Example: About 93% of the bus fleet was affected by the strike.
Rush hour (noun) – the busiest commuting times of the day.
Example: Subway stations were packed during rush hour.
Chartered (adjective) – hired for a special purpose.
Example: The city used chartered buses to cover key routes.
Base pay (noun) – the main salary amount before bonuses or extra payments.
Example: The dispute included questions about how to calculate base pay.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What events led to the deal that ended the strike?
What were the two biggest points in the final agreement?
Why did the strike affect Seoul commuters so quickly?
Which emergency steps by the city sounded most effective to you, and why?
Why do you think the “base pay” issue is harder to solve than a simple wage increase?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

When workers strike in essential services, what should the limits be (if any)?
Should governments step in earlier during public transportation disputes? Why or why not?
What’s a fair way to balance worker rights and public convenience?
How can companies avoid strikes without giving away too much in negotiations?
Have you ever experienced a strike (transport, school, workplace)? What happened?

Related Idiom / Phrase

“Back to business” — returning to normal work after a disruption.

How it applies: Once the Seoul bus strike ends, Seoul can finally get back to business with normal commuting and schedules.

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This article was inspired by: KBS World, The Korea Times, Korea JoongAng Daily, and The Straits Times.