I thought this was kind of interesting when I saw it: WiMAX day reports that the subway operating company in Seoul, South Korea—Seoul Metro—is planning to begin installation of wireless Internet access in its underground trains next year.

The service will be provided by KT, using WiBro technology. Access will be available in some trains and stations this coming January, with coverage of the entire system by end of 2007.

The English version of chosun.com notes that the WiBro installation is a sidebar to Seoul Metro’s $439 million project replacing hundreds of aging subway trains, slated to be complete by 2009.

Wireless Internet access for subway riders seems like a pretty cool idea. I’d even bet a lot of people would be willing to pay for the service. And, apparently I’m not the only one who thinks so. A recent report in The L Magazine says that New York City officials are looking into the possibility of creating universal WiFi access for everyone in the greater metro area—including subway riders.

The plan would be to create a WiFi network, and then charge roughly $20 per month for access. Since so many other U.S. cities are installing WiFi networks, it seems to be it’s just a matter of time before the Big Apple jumps on board, too.

What do you think—would you pay for to use underground WiFi?