Han Byeongdo: "Han River Bus misconduct cover-up allegations, if true, amount to a gate... Probe Oh Sehoon's involvement"

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Han Byeong-do, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said the allegations of a cover-up of misconduct surrounding the Han River Bus project, if true, amounted to a “Han River Bus Gate” aimed at covering up wrongdoing. He called for an investigation into whether Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon was involved.

At a Supreme Council meeting held at the Democratic Party of Korea’s Busan chapter on Oct. 16, Han said, “The allegations that misconduct related to the Han River Bus was covered up, which came to light at yesterday’s Seoul City audit by the National Assembly, are shocking, to put it mildly.” He added, “Allegations have emerged that even an internal audit into signs of kickbacks was suppressed, going beyond concerns over the project’s poor execution.”

Democratic Party floor leader Han Byeongdo speaks. Yonhap News Agency

At the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee’s audit of the Seoul Metropolitan Government the previous day, suspicious fund flows involving a broker were detected among the project funds paid to the company that built the Han River Bus, and allegations were raised that some of the money may have gone to officials at the Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation (SH). It was also alleged that a request for an investigation had been drafted within the Seoul Metropolitan Government but never filed, and that related documents had been destroyed.

“We must find out who ordered the request for an investigation to be halted and the documents to be destroyed, and why,” Han said. “All relevant materials must be disclosed, and the truth must be uncovered through an independent investigation.” He added, “The allegations of misconduct and the circumstances of the cover-up must be fully brought to light, and a thorough investigation must determine whether the mayor himself was involved.”

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has denied the allegations. At the audit the previous day, Mayor Oh said that after being briefed on the matter last year, he ordered preparations for both a request for an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection and a request for an investigation. He said that after the audit request was dismissed, the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Audit Committee began its own inquiry. The city says it will request an investigation if necessary.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.