Detected During Joint Public-Private Inspection
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on December 11 that a joint public-private inspection of Hangang Bus identified a total of 120 areas requiring improvement.
These included 28 regulation violations, 39 cases of insufficient maintenance, and 53 improvement recommendations.
The joint inspection was conducted from November 21 to 26, with participation from 10 organizations-including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the National Police Agency, the National Fire Agency, the Korea Coast Guard, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government-as well as private experts. The inspection covered the 28.9-kilometer Hangang Bus route, seven vessels, seven docks, and the emergency response system.
Examples of regulation violations included inadequate emergency response systems, such as the failure to establish a situation communication system between local governments and operating agencies.
At the docks, worker safety management measures were found to be lacking, such as the absence of confined space safety procedures and the failure to designate industrial safety supervisors. Maintenance of river facilities-including water channels near the docks, concrete structures on riverbanks, and vegetation mats-also failed to meet standards.
Cases of insufficient maintenance were noted at the Jamsil, Oksu, and Apgujeong docks, where there is a high likelihood of changes in the height and shape of the riverbed. These docks were identified as needing separate riverbed maintenance plans. The inspection also found inadequate management of facilities and equipment, such as defective navigation markers, malfunctioning explosion-proof lights on vessels, damaged fire detectors, and improperly secured anchor connection equipment at the docks.
Additional improvement recommendations included strengthening emergency communication drills between captains and rescue teams, and enhancing the continuous monitoring function of the water safety control room.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has notified the Seoul Metropolitan Government of the inspection results, requested immediate correction of deficiencies, and plans to continue working with Seoul to strengthen safety management measures so that citizens can use the Hangang Bus safely and conveniently.
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