Requesting Adjustment from Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is Normal Administrative Procedure

Gyeonggi Province has stated that allegations of preferential treatment related to Gyeongnam Passenger's intercity bus route modification plan are "inconsistent with the facts."

According to the province on the 22nd, when an intercity bus business plan modification (route) spans multiple provinces or cities, consultation must be held with the relevant provinces and cities. If consultation cannot be reached, an adjustment request must be filed with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Gyeongnam Passenger's intercity bus business plan modification involves routes passing through Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, requiring consultation with Incheon. Since Incheon objected and consultation could not be reached, an adjustment request was filed with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, according to Gyeonggi Province's explanation.

This claim by Gyeonggi Province has been confirmed to be factual. Article 78 of the Passenger Vehicle Transport Business Act stipulates as follows:

Article 78 (Consultation, Adjustment, etc.) ① When a business plan modification, improvement order, or business district adjustment for a passenger vehicle transport business spans two or more provinces or cities, the provincial or city governor must consult with the relevant provincial and city governors in accordance with standards prescribed by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ordinance. In this case, if the provincial or city governor fails to reach an agreement through consultation, the governor must request adjustment from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

As such, filing an adjustment request with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is prescribed as a mandatory obligation, not a discretionary option.