Seoul City refers Han River Bus kickback allegations to police for investigation

Seoul City formally requested an investigation by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the 16th regarding kickback allegations raised during the construction process of the Han River buses. The city made the announcement in a statement issued in the name of spokesperson Ho Jun-seok.

The allegations were raised the previous day during a National Assembly audit of Seoul City by the Public Administration and Security Committee. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Ju-min and others claimed that a fund flow involving a broker was detected in the project funds paid to Gadeok Heavy Industries, the manufacturer of the Han River buses, and that part of that money may have been funneled to senior executives of the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH). Allegations were also raised that Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon knew about this but failed to properly investigate and covered it up.

Regarding the investigation request, Seoul City stated, "We make it clear that any allegation must be thoroughly investigated, and responsibility must be established without exception, whoever it may involve." The city explained, "We requested an immediate investigation out of the judgment that we can no longer stand by while the essence of uncovering the truth is distorted by political offensives." The city also urged the Democratic Party to "stop political offensives that shake Seoul's city administration and cause unnecessary confusion by capitalizing on unverified allegations."

Meanwhile, Democratic Party floor leader Byeon Do-hoon urged at a Supreme Council meeting the same day that the truth of the alleged cover-up of the Han River Bus irregularities be revealed through an independent investigation.