Seoul City on Han River Bus Allegations: "Efforts to Uncover the Truth Continue; Stop Political Attacks"

Seoul City Pushes Back in Statement Issued in Spokesperson's Name
"Efforts Included Requesting an Audit, Conducting Its Own Inquiry, and Asking Police to Investigate"

Seoul City urged the Democratic Party of Korea, which raised allegations related to the Han River Bus project, to "stop its politically motivated attacks based on unsubstantiated allegations." The city denied claims that it had been passive in investigating the allegations, saying it had recently asked the police to investigate, following a request for a public interest audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection and its own inquiry.

In a statement issued on October 18 in the name of its spokesperson, Ho Junseok, the city said, "The Democratic Party is ignoring even basic facts and deliberately disparaging Seoul City's efforts to uncover the truth."

The city said it requested a public interest audit from the Board of Audit and Inspection on October 2, 2025, and, even after the request was dismissed, conducted dozens of its own inquiries, including requests for documents, on-site inspections, interviews with people involved, and phone calls. It added that on October 16, it formally asked the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to investigate and agreed to provide relevant materials. "Claiming that we 'delayed the investigation for a year' while ignoring this entire process of uncovering the truth is nothing more than political agitation," it said.

Seoul's Hangang Bus. Yonhap News.

Earlier, at the Seoul City audit by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee on October 15, Democratic Party lawmakers alleged that suspicious financial flows involving a broker had been detected in project funds paid to the company that built the Han River Bus, and that some of the money may have gone to a senior executive at Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation (SH).

In response to criticism that its audit request did not mention allegations of KRW 320 million in kickbacks, Seoul City said it had been aware of the allegations at the time and had worked to ensure an objective inquiry, including by deciding to request an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection. It also said, "Rather than treating allegations that have not been objectively verified as fact, we sought the judgment of an independent audit body on the full range of suspected irregularities, including the selection of the company and delays in shipbuilding, as well as cost increases."

Regarding allegations that the city covered up misconduct and ordered the destruction of investigative materials, it said, "We ask that you first present specific and objective evidence," adding, "Labeling unsubstantiated allegations with the sensational term 'gate' does not make them true."

Spokesperson Ho said, "Seoul City has no intention of covering up any allegations of misconduct," adding, "We will provide relevant materials to the investigative authorities and cooperate fully so that the facts and responsibility are thoroughly established."

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