Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.
Seoul’s Hangang Bus faces backlash over safety failures
A Hangang Bus vessel cruises on the Han River in Seoul, Sunday, resuming operations after the waterborne transit service was suspended Saturday due to poor weather. Yonhap
By Lee Hae-rin
Seoul’s 150 billion won ($105 million) Hangang Bus project is facing criticism over repeated breakdowns and safety lapses just days after its launch on Sept. 18, raising doubts about its viability as the city’s new waterborne transport service.
During rush hour on Monday and Tuesday, two Hangang Bus vessels suffered critical breakdowns, forcing emergency dockings and leaving more than 100 passengers stranded on each occasion. Sudden rudder failures and electrical glitches stalled the boats mid-river or prevented departures, as operators rushed to evacuate passengers and issue refunds.
While city officials say repairs have been completed, the persistent nature of these failures has heightened anxieties about the reliability and safety of the boats.
Concerns extend beyond mechanical defects. Local media reported that access to critical emergency equipment — including cabinets for infant life jackets — was blocked by ramps for wheelchairs and bicycles, which would be unsafe in an emergency.
Fire extinguishers on board showed no recent inspection records, and on several occasions the equipment room — which houses sensitive electrical systems — was left unlocked during operation, posing risks of shock or system failure.
Passengers have also expressed frustration over poorly managed response protocols. Online forums documented incidents of malfunctioning toilets and overflowing waste, which Seoul officials attributed to improper use rather than facility faults.
The Hangang Bus system has shown particular vulnerability to weather disruptions.
The highly anticipated launch ceremony, attended by Mayor Oh Se-hoon and the press, was abruptly disrupted by heavy rain last week. Although the rain was not an unexpected weather event, having been forecast in advance, the city cited “low visibility” as justification for canceling the trial.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon attends a launch ceremony for the Hangang Bus at Yeouido Pier in Seoul, Sept. 17. Yonhap
Two suspensions occurred within the first four days, despite city assurances that service would be halted only in “exceptional circumstances,” casting doubt on its reliability as a transportation option for Seoul’s 10 million residents.
Launched by the mayor, a member of the conservative main opposition People Power Party, with promises to revolutionize Seoul’s transport, the Hangang Bus was billed as an eco-friendly service offering scenic river views and leisure spaces. But critics, including safety experts and veteran sailors, say the city has focused more on appearances than on substantive preparations.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has called for a full suspension of the Hangang Bus, further vowing to thoroughly scrutinize the project in the upcoming National Assembly audit.
Park Soo-bin, spokesperson for the Seoul Metropolitan Council’s DPK members, labeled the Hangang Bus “a reckless project for mayoral achievement at the expense of public safety,” accusing the city of hasty and inadequate preparations.
In response, Oh has accused the DPK of distorting facts and mounting unwarranted political attacks, defending the project by noting it has already undergone state audits with no major violations found.
He accused DPK lawmakers of running “a factory of lies,” while stressing that his goal remains to create meaningful, long-term public value for Seoul residents despite the fierce criticism.