Land ministry expands highway toll discounts for veterans and large families

The Land Ministry announced it has expanded eligibility for highway toll discounts to include leased and rented vehicles used by veterans and people with disabilities.

Under the new rules, independent patriots, state merit recipients, May 18 democracy movement injured persons, and registered disabled individuals can now receive toll reductions when riding in vehicles they have leased or rented for at least one year. Previously, the discount applied only to vehicles owned directly by these individuals or their household members.

The ministry also introduced a temporary discount program for large families traveling on Korea Expressway Corporation-managed highways during weekends and public holidays. Households with two children under the age of 19 will receive a 10 percent reduction in tolls, while those with three or more children will see a 20 percent cut.

The family-oriented benefit is scheduled to run until August 21, 2029. The specific discount for families with two children will begin on August 22. The reduced rates do not apply to privately operated expressways.

Existing discount levels remain unchanged for most groups, with top-tier state merit recipients and severely injured democracy activists continuing to receive full exemptions. Other beneficiaries generally qualify for a 50 percent reduction.

Jeong Cheon-woo, director of the road policy division at the Land Ministry, said the department plans to continue refining the highway toll system so the public can tangibly feel the improvements.