The Democratic Party on the 19th pressed Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to give a clear account of allegations surrounding the Han River bus project, ahead of a parliamentary audit of the Seoul Metropolitan Government by the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee. The party also mourned the death of fire lieutenant Kim Jin-seok, who died while fighting a factory fire in Bucheon, and pledged budget and policy changes to make working conditions safer for firefighters.
"Mayor Oh Se-hoon must answer clearly on the core allegations in the Han River bus gate," floor leader Han Byung-do said at a supreme council meeting at the National Assembly. "The Seoul city government referred the case to police only on the 16th, a day after the controversy grew during the audit on the 15th," he said. "It has not answered why it put off the referral all this time, and instead only blames the Democratic Party for raising the allegations."
Han also dismissed the city's explanation that it had conducted dozens of internal reviews. "The number of internal reviews is not what matters," he said. "Make clear why the referral was held back even after a request for investigation had been drafted, whether there was any order to destroy investigation records, and who was involved in that process." He went on to question the city's decision to exclude kickback-related allegations from its request for an audit on the grounds that they had not been confirmed. "Isn't an audit requested precisely because the allegations are unconfirmed and need to be checked?" he said.
Han urged the mayor not to "brush this aside by saying he does not recall," and called on him to submit to the National Assembly documents showing when he was briefed, on what, and what measures he ordered.
The party also stressed the need for safety measures at fire scenes as it honored the firefighter who died in the line of duty. Before the supreme council meeting began, participants observed a moment of silence for Kim.
"Creating safe working conditions for firefighters is a responsibility the state must fully bear," Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok said. "Equipment needed for fighting fires, relief work and snow removal must be replenished on time, and support for firefighters' mental health, including post-traumatic stress disorder, must be fully provided." He pledged to "continue to strengthen the budget and support for safe working conditions for firefighters."
Han said he would also take the lead in drawing up effective measures to prevent a recurrence, including rescue and evacuation systems for firefighters, along with related institutional changes and funding. He noted that the 17th, the day Kim died, was "119 Memorial Day," which honors the sacrifice and dedication of firefighters killed in the line of duty.