Prime Minister Kim Minseok expressed concerns about the safety of the Han River Bus after an incident in which the vessel became stranded on the riverbed, and instructed officials to determine the cause of the accident and review safety measures.
On the 16th, Prime Minister Kim issued a special directive, stating, "The Seoul Metropolitan Government should cooperate with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to thoroughly investigate the cause of this accident and comprehensively re-examine the safety of Han River Bus vessels, docks, and operating routes." He further instructed, "Analyze in detail the risk factors and response measures related to the shallow water depth of the Han River and take appropriate action."
The special directive also included instructions for "the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to re-examine whether a response system is in place to guarantee the safety of all passengers in the event of incidents such as grounding, sinking, or fire during Han River Bus operations."
Prime Minister Kim added, "Safety can never be overemphasized. Complete the inspection and follow-up measures as soon as possible, and, if necessary, consider and implement additional measures, including extending the temporary suspension period."
The Prime Minister's Office also stated, "Prime Minister Kim expressed serious concerns about the safety of Han River Bus operations, including whether the river's topography was properly considered when selecting dock locations and determining operating routes."
The Han River Bus, a water transportation service, became stranded on the riverbed in a shallow area near Jamsil Dock at around 8:24 p.m. the previous day. All 82 passengers were rescued by the police and fire authorities.
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