The rate of compensation for vehicle damage caused by potholes on highways has significantly decreased since the Korea Expressway Corporation transferred its compensation responsibilities to insurance companies. Issues regarding excessive highway signage and the quality of food at rest areas were also raised during a recent National Assembly audit.
Yoo Jeong-hoon, president of the Korea Expressway Corporation, acknowledged these concerns during the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit on October 8, stating that he would pursue improvements to the system.
According to Democratic Party lawmaker Yeom Tae-young, the compensation rate for pothole damage dropped from 93.9% in 2023 to 64.7% in 2025, a decline of 29.2 percentage points, following the full transfer of compensation duties to insurance companies in July 2024. Notably, the full compensation rate for damages under 500,000 won plummeted from 85.8% to just 11% during the same period.
Yeom emphasized that transferring responsibilities to insurance companies does not absolve the expressway corporation of its management duties, calling for a review of compensation practices and the establishment of a separate appeals process. In response, Yoo stated, "I take the issue of inadequate compensation very seriously and will pursue the suggested improvements and report back in detail."
Concerns were also raised about the excessive number of highway signs. Lawmaker Shin Seong-beom from the People Power Party noted that over 50,000 signs are installed across 36 highways, with the Gyeongin Expressway alone having 16.6 signs per kilometer. He argued that no matter how many signs are posted, drivers cannot see them all, urging for a review of redundant signage and improvements to installation standards.
Yoo responded that while signs are installed according to road laws and traffic regulations, these standards were set when navigation systems were less common. He committed to conducting expert discussions and related research.
Additionally, Yoo addressed the issue of food quality at rest areas, stating that the corporation is preparing improvement plans in consultation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and is working on pilot projects at eight locations, with plans to expand based on the results.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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