But for the most part, in my day-to-day life, I enjoy the practicality and affordability of public transportation.
I think the strong public transportation system here came about due to two main factors: population growth and Korea's geographical size. With so many people, traffic can get seriously exhausting. Using a subway or bus helps alleviate this problem and reduces stress for the average commuter. Since Korea is relatively small in terms of land (it's close in size to England or Mississippi), they have had the opportunity to connect the cities very efficiently.
I do think that the culture of being quiet and clean on trains and buses has to do with the predominant Korean culture of respect and community. The concept of oori, or "we/us/our," is a big deal. Because of this, keeping our spaces clean and comfortable is thought to be in the best interest of everyone.
