Seoul subway app to get foreigner-friendly overhaul

Seoul's official subway app is getting an overhaul to better suit foreigners, adding real-time AI translations of train announcements and emergency alerts, Seoul Metro said Tuesday. 

The redesigned Seoul Subway app entered a roughly month-long trial last Friday and will move to its full official launch once Seoul Metro folds in user feedback next month. 

The update brings the app's language support to four, adding Chinese and Japanese alongside the existing Korean and English, and rebuilds the interface, train announcements and emergency alert system for non-Korean speakers.

Another notable update to the app is the so-called Mobile Train Announcement Service, which allows users to check the different train announcements from the application, instead of trying to listen and catch the broadcast on board. With the new update, the train announcements will be automatically translated into English, Chinese and Japanese for foreigners to understand. 

Emergency alerts, such as fire in train carriages, train disruptions and delays are also AI-translated and shown in the app. 

Users can also check for any delays in the different subway lines in real time. 

The Seoul Subway app will also introduce a Mobile Subway Tour service in June, which plans to host tour services that can easily be reached using Seoul's extensive subway network. 

"This overhaul was designed from the ground up by gathering input from foreign users so they can navigate the Seoul subway with ease," said Jeong Jong-yeop, Seoul Metro's head of business operations. 

"We will continue expanding services and content so that anyone visiting Seoul can ride the subway without a language barrier." 

BY CHO YONG-JUN [[email protected]]