On November 16, a Han River bus sits stranded after running aground near Jamsil Pier in Songpa District, Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 16 (Korea Bizwire) — Seoul partially suspended operations of its new Hangang bus service on Sunday after a vessel ran aground near Jamsil Pier, prompting the rescue of more than 80 passengers and intensifying political scrutiny over the project’s safety record.
The accident occurred at around 8:24 p.m. Saturday, when a river bus heading toward Jamsil became stuck on the shallow riverbed near the pier. Fire authorities and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s river patrol rescued all 82 passengers within an hour. No injuries were reported, and the vessel sustained no visible structural damage.
City officials said the boat likely struck sand, mud, or other debris accumulated on the river bottom. Seoul has launched an investigation into the exact cause and temporarily halted service on parts of the route.
The incident quickly ignited political backlash. The Democratic Party, now the governing party, called for a full suspension of the service, criticizing Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon for pressing ahead with what it characterized as a high-risk “showcase project.”
“This accident is a clear warning of what happens when the city prioritizes spectacle over citizen safety,” the party’s task force on municipal governance said at a press conference at the National Assembly. The lawmakers accused Mayor Oh of ignoring repeated warnings and noted that 16 accidents have occurred since the service launched.
Party officials demanded public disclosure of all past safety investigations, a comprehensive overhaul of safety protocols and emergency systems at each pier, and a reassessment of the river bus system’s viability as public transportation.
Senior party figures also voiced concerns online. Party leader Chung Cheong-rae wrote that “no administrative goal outweighs safety,” while other lawmakers criticized Mayor Oh’s “recklessness” and “election-driven haste.”
Saturday’s grounding happened just days after the service began operations. The Han River bus system—one of Mayor Oh’s flagship projects—is designed to operate along seven key piers, connecting Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Apgujeong, Oksu, Ttukseom, and Jamsil. The initiative aims to ease road congestion and boost tourism, but a string of early incidents has fueled demands for a full safety review.
The city government said it would announce further operational decisions once its investigation is completed.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
