Bus Driver Gu Mo, Accused of Mayor Oh's Abuse of Power on the 7th of Last Month
Seoul City Raised Bus On-Time Dispatch Standards in July Last Year
[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The police have concluded no charges against Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who was accused of obstructing bus drivers' safe driving by raising the on-time dispatch standards for performance bonuses at Seoul city bus companies.
Seoul Namdaemun Police Station announced on the 19th, "We have decided not to prosecute Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who was accused on the 10th of abuse of authority."
The police explained, "Seoul City's policy is an administrative guidance act aimed at improving citizen convenience based on the law," adding, "There is only indirect financial support, and implementing a policy based on the law cannot be considered illegal." Furthermore, they stated, "Although the accuser claims their right to take leave was infringed, the connection between the bus company's actions, to which the accuser belongs, and Seoul City's policy implementation is based solely on the accuser's statement," and "No other evidence proving causality has been found."
Earlier, bus driver Gu claimed that the on-time dispatch standards for performance bonuses in Seoul city buses were excessively raised and filed a complaint against Mayor Oh on the 7th of last month for abuse of authority. He complained that due to Seoul City's policy, he could not drive safely and developed health issues from the stress of having to maintain on-time operation.
Seoul City raised the on-time dispatch rate standards (the ratio of bus stops where the bus stopped within the on-time range out of all stops passed) at the end of July last year. The on-time dispatch rates required for grades from B to E were increased by 5 percentage points each. For example, previously, an 80% on-time dispatch rate qualified for a B grade, but since last year, it must be 85% to qualify for B grade. Failure to meet the on-time dispatch rate results in lower evaluation scores, which leads to a reduction in the performance bonus amounts paid differentially by Seoul City to bus companies.
Meanwhile, Gu submitted an objection to the non-prosecution decision to the police in protest. Gu explained, "There is no information on any measures or investigations taken against the accused, and the police only reviewed the evidence submitted by the accuser," adding, "There are doubts about the credibility and decision of the non-prosecution."
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