Politics · South Korea · 2 hrs ago
Oh Se-hoon Denies Cover-Up of Han River Bus Kickback Allegation
A kickback allegation linked to Seoul’s Han River Bus project was questioned at a parliamentary hearing in Seoul on October 15.
The allegation is that some money paid to boat builder Gadeok Heavy Industries went through a broker to a senior executive at the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation, known as SH.
Reports also claimed city audit staff prepared a police referral but that related material was destroyed after the issue was reported to Mayor Oh Se-hoon.
Oh denied suppressing the inquiry, saying he sought an audit by the national Board of Audit and Inspection before pursuing a police referral.
The board dismissed Seoul’s request the same day, saying the matters could be handled by the city’s own audit body, which is now investigating the allegations.
Oh said he would refer the matter for investigation if needed, and lawmakers planned to question city officials involved in the audit process.
South Korean lawmakers questioned Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon over allegations that an inquiry into kickbacks linked to the Han River Bus project was suppressed.
The allegations concern project funds paid to shipbuilder Gadeok Heavy Industries that were allegedly passed through a broker to a senior official at Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation.
Oh denied covering up the matter, saying Seoul had sought an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection before considering a police referral.
He said the Board dismissed the request and Seoul’s Audit Committee is now investigating, with a referral planned if needed.
- Who
- Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and lawmakers on the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee.
- What
- Lawmakers questioned allegations that an inquiry into suspected Han River Bus project kickbacks was suppressed. Oh denied covering up the matter.
- When
- October 15, 2026.
- Where
- Seoul City Hall, during a National Assembly audit of the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
- Why
- Lawmakers asked why the city did not refer the suspected kickbacks for investigation after receiving a report about them.
Democratic Party lawmakers
Oh Se-hoon and People Power Party lawmakers
Alleged cover-up
Democratic Party lawmakers
Democratic Party lawmakers questioned whether Oh was involved in suppressing the inquiry after the city received a report about suspected kickbacks.
Oh Se-hoon and People Power Party lawmakers
Oh denied covering up the matter and said he had sought an external audit before considering a police referral.
Handling of the investigation
Democratic Party lawmakers
Democratic Party lawmakers challenged why the city did not refer the matter for investigation and raised concerns about the reported destruction of documents.
Oh Se-hoon and People Power Party lawmakers
Oh said the Board of Audit and Inspection dismissed the city’s request and the Seoul Audit Committee is investigating.
Han River Bus project
Democratic Party lawmakers
Democratic Party lawmakers focused on the suspected kickbacks and the handling of the inquiry.
Oh Se-hoon and People Power Party lawmakers
People Power Party lawmaker Joo Ho-young cited reported growth in ridership and satisfaction with the service.
Oh said he received a report about the allegations and instructed officials to investigate seriously.
The Board of Audit and Inspection dismissed Seoul’s request for a public-interest audit on the day it was submitted.
Lawmakers questioned Oh at a National Assembly audit, and he said Seoul’s Audit Committee was investigating the matter.
- Alleged recipient
- A senior official at Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation
- Shipbuilder
- Gadeok Heavy Industries
- Audit request
- October 2, 2025
- Current inquiry
- Seoul Metropolitan Government Audit Committee
- Hearing date
- October 15, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
This could become an administrative version of a case of burying the truth.
The Board dismissed the request for an audit, and since then the Seoul Audit Committee has been investigating the matter closely. If an investigation is needed, we plan to refer it.
I received a report around September last year, and I instructed them to investigate seriously, as it was a matter for which a request for a police investigation should be prepared.