Seoul mayor disputes cover-up claims over Han River Bus kickback allegations
In short
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon disputed claims that he suppressed an investigation into alleged Han River Bus kickbacks at a parliamentary audit on October 15. The city said its audit committee was investigating and retained a draft police referral that lawmakers said had been destroyed.
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Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon disputed allegations that he had suppressed an inquiry into suspected Han River Bus kickbacks during a parliamentary audit at City Hall on October 15. Democratic Party lawmakers cited reports that money paid to a vessel builder may have reached a senior official at the city-affiliated SH housing corporation through a broker. They questioned why allegations reported to the mayor had not led to a police referral and raised claims that investigation records had been destroyed. [ 3 , 4 , 17 ]
Oh said he had received a report around September 2025 and ordered a rigorous examination. He said the city first sought an objective review by the Board of Audit and Inspection, expecting it to examine the allegations. The board dismissed the request, and the city's audit committee was now investigating, he said. Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that Oh later said he did not remember whether he had personally ordered the preparation of a police referral. [ 3 , 4 ]
In a statement reported by Newsis, Seoul said its audit committee briefed the mayor on September 9, 2025, and prepared a draft referral following his instructions. The city said the draft was still held by the committee. It said the evidence then available was insufficient for a police referral, so it requested a public-interest audit on October 2. That request was dismissed because the city's own audit body could handle the matter. The city said its internal inquiry was delayed while a separate national audit of the wider project was underway; those results were released on March 16. [ 9 ]
Hankook Ilbo reported that the national audit board said the city's request had not mentioned kickbacks. People Power Party lawmakers argued that extending unproven allegations to the mayor could mislead the public. A later Dong-A Ilbo account reported Oh saying he would refer the matter for investigation and had no reason to shield anyone. [ 17 , 23 ]
Why it matters
The dispute concerns whether money paid for vessel construction reached a senior official at Seoul's SH housing corporation. Whether kickbacks were paid or officials obstructed an investigation remains unresolved.
Key facts
- Lawmakers questioned Oh about alleged kickbacks and the handling of an internal investigation at the October 15 parliamentary audit. [ 3 , 4 , 17 ]
- Seoul said its audit committee retained the draft police referral and would refer the matter for investigation if necessary. [ 9 , 14 ]
- Hankook Ilbo reported that the national audit board said the city's earlier audit request did not mention kickbacks. [ 17 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether kickbacks were paid and whether the inquiry was suppressed. Lawmakers raised allegations that Oh disputed; the reports do not establish criminal wrongdoing.
- Whether investigation documents were destroyed. Lawmakers cited reports alleging destruction, while Seoul said it retained the draft referral.