The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on the 30th that, regarding Supreme Council member Hwang Myung-seon of the Democratic Party of Korea referring to a private sightseeing boat accident as a Hangang Bus accident, "If there is no correction and apology, we will consider all measures, including legal action."
Seoul Metropolitan Government Spokesperson Lee Min-kyung issued a statement that day and said, "This accident clearly occurred during the operation of a private sightseeing boat."
Lee said, "It raises doubts as to whether the party's Supreme Council member took part in the Supreme Council meeting without even checking the facts, or whether there was an intention to frame a private sightseeing boat accident as a Hangang Bus accident," adding, "We cannot help but ask whether the Democratic Party leadership, so fixated on political attacks, has reached the point of spouting anything without even distinguishing between a private sightseeing boat and the Hangang Bus."
At the Supreme Council meeting that day, Supreme Council member Hwang Myung-seon said, "As soon as spring arrives, again the Hangang Bus came to a stop. It caused another accident," adding, "The Seoul Metropolitan Government should immediately suspend Hangang Bus operations until safety is ensured and conduct a full review of the project from the ground up."
Earlier, at about 8:30 p.m. on the 29th, a report that "the boat can't move" was filed with the fire authorities near Banpo Bridge. The boat was a private sightseeing vessel and is separate from the Hangang Bus operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Lee said, "Rather than genuinely worrying about citizens' safety, this is a low-grade political offensive that uses the accident as a tool for political strife and shifts responsibility," adding, "The Democratic Party and Supreme Council member Hwang Myung-seon should immediately correct the facts and apologize to the public."