Hangang Bus Launches Maiden Voyage... Oh Sehoon Says "History of the Han River Will Change"

Seoul's first water-based public transportation, the Hangang Bus, will embark on its maiden voyage at 11 a.m. on the 18th. Oh Sehoon, the mayor of Seoul who conceived the Hangang Bus project, described the launch as "a historic moment marking the pinnacle of the Hangang Renaissance."

On the morning of the 17th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held an inauguration ceremony at the Yeouido pier under the theme "A Gift to Citizens." The event was attended by Mayor Oh, Choi Hojung, Chairperson of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, and members of the National Assembly representing the district where the pier is located.

During the ceremony, Mayor Oh stated, "I can say with confidence that, in terms of improving the quality of life for Seoul citizens, the history of the Han River will be clearly divided into before and after the Hangang Bus. Citizens will have a completely new experience of crossing the Han River, finding relaxation and scenery in the heart of the city, and leisurely enjoying Seoul's night views in their daily lives."

Yonhap News Agency

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The Hangang Bus is a project initiated by Mayor Oh after observing the Thames River water bus during his business trip to the United Kingdom in 2023. At the launch ceremony held in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do last year, Mayor Oh showed his deep affection for the project, even shedding tears as he recalled the planning process.

After the main event, Mayor Oh was scheduled to board the Hangang Bus with citizens and foreigners to tour the Yeouido area, but the boarding was delayed due to heavy rain.

The Hangang Bus pier, where the launch ceremony was held, is already enjoying great popularity among citizens from various regions.

The Starbucks at the Yeouido pier offers the craft beer "Starbucks Lager," which is not available at other city locations. Visitors can enjoy beer and coffee while overlooking the Han River from the pier. Additionally, the Jamsil pier features a Terarosa caf?, and the Mangwon pier is home to "New Face," a pet-friendly caf?. At the Ttukseom pier, there is "Vinyl Hangang Branch," where visitors can listen to music on LP records.

The rooftop spaces of the piers will also be open for public use. From the second half of the year, weddings can be held against the backdrop of the sunset over the Han River at the rooftops of the five piers: Mangwon, Yeouido, Apgujeong, Ttukseom, and Jamsil. On a regular basis, citizen experiences and participatory exhibitions will also be held.

The scenery visible from the Hangang Bus is also diverse. During sunset on the Yeouido~Ttukseom route, passengers can enjoy iconic night views of Seoul, such as Seoul Dal, the 63 Building, Sebitseom, and Banpo Bridge's Moonlight Rainbow Fountain. In particular, backgrounds featured in the globally popular "K-Pop Demon Hunters" can also be seen. When passing from Yeouido to Apgujeong, passengers can view Namsan Seoul Tower, a key location in K-Pop Demon Hunters, and on the Oksu~Ttukseom section, they can enjoy the view of Cheongdam Bridge, where Huntrix and evil spirits faced off.

On the 17th, the Han River bus is arriving at the Yeouido Han River bus dock in Seoul for the inauguration ceremony. The Han River bus will officially begin operations on the 18th. 2025.09.17 Photo by Yoon Dongju

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Travel between different sections of the Han River, which was previously inconvenient, is expected to become much more convenient. After running along the riverside from Yeouinaru Station's "Runner Station," passengers can return via the Hangang Bus. Festival venues such as the "Hangang Drone Light Show" at Ttukseom Hangang Park, the "2025 Hangang Mureungdowon Festival" at Jamwon Hangang Park, and the "Reading Hangang Park" near Yeouido pier can now be accessed via the river without needing to use the subway or bus stations.

Mayor Oh remarked, "The Hangang Bus is a new lifestyle proposal from Seoul, a way to find relaxation in the midst of a busy urban life, and another way to connect with the Han River. Not only the river itself but also each pier will become a plaza where culture and trends come together."

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