"40 Minutes by Subway... Two Hours Could Take Me to Jeju": Minjung Go Directly Criticizes Oh Sehoon's Hangang Bus

As South Korea's first waterborne public transportation, the "Hangang Bus," launched its inaugural service on September 18, Minjung Go, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the "Hangang Bus" initiative promoted by Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon.

The appearance of Hangang Bus. Photo by Asia Economy Database

On September 17, Minjung Go posted on her social media account, "Wasn't the Hangang Bus supposed to be for commuting?" She added, "In two hours, you could even make a round trip to Jeju Island."

The Hangang Bus, which began its first operation on September 18, is the country's first waterborne public transportation, running a total distance of 28.9 square kilometers from Magok to Jamsil in 127 minutes. The fare is 3,000 won one-way for adults, and with an additional 5,000 won on the Climate Companion Card, passengers can enjoy unlimited rides. The Seoul Metropolitan Government explained that after a three-month pilot period, the service officially launched on this day.

However, some have pointed out that the Hangang Bus is not practical as a commuting option. While it takes about 40 minutes to travel from Magok to Jamsil using the express service on Subway Line 9, the Hangang Bus takes more than twice as long.

A photo of Minjung Go, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Asia Economy Database

The Democratic Party of Korea has repeatedly raised concerns about favoritism and waste of taxpayer money regarding the Hangang Bus. In a briefing at the National Assembly's communication center last month, Baek Seunga, the party's floor spokesperson, stated, "The Seoul Metropolitan Government's Hangang Bus project exposes the reality of typical favoritism and wasteful spending of public funds," emphasizing the need for a thorough independent audit.

Meanwhile, starting at 11 a.m. on September 18, the Hangang Bus will operate between seven docks: Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Oksu, Apgujeong, Ttukseom, and Jamsil. As the first waterborne public transportation system introduced in the country, a total of eight vessels will operate 14 times a day in the initial phase, taking into comprehensive consideration safety and service quality. The travel time is 127 minutes from Magok to Jamsil and 80 minutes from Yeouido to Jamsil.