Seoul Metro and SH among Seoul Public Enterprises Under Investigation 'On High Alert'...Will Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Watch?

Seoul City Holds Audit Committee on 9th, Issues Severe Audit Results on Seoul Subway Bidirectional Dust Collection Facilities Including Warning to Seoul Transportation Corporation President, Investigation Request for Former Technical Director, Dismissal Recommendation for Mechanical Director; Refers Case to Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Violent Crime Investigation Unit; Following Accelerated Investigation, Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit Conducts Over 9-Hour Search at SH Headquarters, Seizing Materials... After Mayor Oh Se-hoon's Inauguration, First Investigation Results Expected to Trigger Aftershocks

The Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency conducted a large-scale raid on the SH headquarters on the 23rd. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] The anti-corruption crackdown by national investigative agencies triggered by speculation on new town sites by employees of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) is now drawing attention as it targets Seoul Transportation Corporation and SH, the top two investment institutions under the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

The Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency conducted a large-scale raid on the SH headquarters on the 23rd.

This appears to send a strong message from the government to eradicate corruption in public institutions through this opportunity, making the investigation results highly anticipated.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government issued a warning to the head of Seoul Transportation Corporation (President Kim Sang-beom) regarding the installation of bidirectional dust collectors and station ventilation systems in the Seoul subway. Additionally, it recommended the dismissal of Director L of the Machinery Department and requested an investigation into former Technical Headquarters Director K (retired), imposing severe disciplinary measures.

From 2018 to 2019, when fine dust levels were severe, Mayor Park Won-soon took charge as the head and launched extensive fine dust reduction measures. Accordingly, both the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the central government allocated supplementary budgets to Seoul Transportation Corporation to protect the health of Seoul citizens and metropolitan area residents using the Seoul subway. However, audit results revealed that Seoul Transportation Corporation invested only about 100 million KRW and failed to carry out the construction.

The Violent Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is accelerating the investigation into the former Technical Headquarters Director due to suspicious work-related connections, following the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s request for investigation. It is reported that not only department officials but also the management are in a state of extreme tension.

The investigation unit is expected to focus on the related headquarters director, company officials, and management. The Seoul Metropolitan Government’s request for an investigation into Seoul Transportation Corporation by investigative agencies is interpreted as a recognition of the seriousness of the issue, including severe dereliction of duty by those involved, based on audit findings.

Depending on the investigation results, a tremendous storm is expected, placing the 46-year-old Seoul Transportation Corporation in its greatest difficulty. Concerns have been raised that corruption structures may have deepened as the Seoul Metropolitan Subway Corporation (Lines 1-4) and the Urban Railroad Corporation (Lines 5-8) merged, expanding the scale of related projects.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is closely monitoring the investigation into Seoul Transportation Corporation and is expected to hold top executives accountable depending on the results. A Seoul city official stated, "We regard the matter as very serious while auditing Seoul Transportation Corporation."

Accordingly, attention is focused on whether Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s firm stance against corruption will lead to the application of a 'first pilot case' since his inauguration.

Meanwhile, Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH) was subjected to a large-scale raid lasting over nine hours on the 23rd by the Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, on suspicion that employees received bribes by providing development information.

As a result, not only the SH headquarters but also related office employees are in a state of extreme tension.

The government is showing strong determination to eradicate corruption links not only in government investment institutions like LH but also in local public enterprises such as Seoul Transportation Corporation and SH, making the investigation results highly anticipated already.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.