[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Sixty-two lawmakers, including members of the Democratic Party of Korea, who proposed an amendment to the Special Act on the Investigation of Social Disasters (Social Disaster Investigation Committee Act) to uncover the truth behind the Sewol ferry disaster, have called on the People Power Party for cooperation.
The bill, primarily proposed by Representative Park Ju-min on the 2nd of last month, aims to suspend the statute of limitations on criminal acts related to the Sewol ferry disaster during the committee’s activity period and to allow the extension of the committee’s activity period, among other provisions.
At a press conference on the 2nd, the co-sponsoring lawmakers stated, "Although the Social Disaster Investigation Committee Act was passed through the first-ever fast-track designation in the 20th National Assembly, the investigation period was shortened and investigative powers were significantly weakened during negotiations for passage in the plenary session. Furthermore, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, various investigations into the truth were severely disrupted, making the already shortened investigation period grossly insufficient to uncover the truth."
They continued, "Despite the truth emerging regarding the Sewol DVR manipulation suspicions and the failure to rescue the late Lim Kyung-bin, there is still a long way to go. For a thorough and unreserved investigation of the Sewol ferry disaster, it is essential to secure sufficient investigation time and authority as originally demanded by experts who have worked alongside the victims’ families."
They pointed out that the statute of limitations for various crimes related to the Sewol ferry disaster?including abuse of authority, obstruction of official duties, perjury, evidence tampering, and falsification of official documents?is seven years. This means that even if the Social Disaster Investigation Committee completes its investigation and proves the crimes, the statute of limitations for major crimes will expire by April next year.
The lawmakers said, "It is a collapse of judicial justice if those responsible for a large-scale disaster that claimed 304 lives are not punished. Since there are precedents in legislation for various committees such as the Military Death Investigation Committee, a law suspending the statute of limitations during the investigation period must be passed to ensure that those responsible are held accountable."
They added, "Since July, the leadership of the People Power Party has repeatedly promised the Sewol families not to politicize the Sewol issue and to find progressive solutions. However, when faced with the immediate request to cooperate on the amendment of the Social Disaster Investigation Committee Act, they are once again making various excuses and not sincerely engaging in discussions."
They urged the People Power Party, "For an unreserved investigation into the Sewol ferry disaster, please put all political disputes aside and come to the negotiation table. If our National Assembly does not make more efforts to reveal the truth, punish those responsible, and create a safe society, it should be remembered that this would be a dereliction of duty."
The lawmakers concluded, "The 304 victims have been buried in the cold sea, and the seventh winter is approaching. We earnestly appeal to immediately stop the obstructive and uncooperative behavior and to pass the amendment to the Social Disaster Investigation Committee Act as the top priority of the regular session to uncover the truth behind the Sewol ferry disaster."
Co-sponsors alongside Representative Park Ju-min include Kang Min-jung, Kang Eun-mi, Ko Young-in, Kim Nam-guk, Kim Young-bae, Kim Yong-min, Kim Won-i, Kim Jin-ae, Kim Jin-pyo, Kim Cheol-min, Kim Hoe-jae, Ryu Ho-jeong, Maeng Sung-kyu, Min Hyung-bae, Park Kwang-on, Park Young-soon, Bae Jin-kyo, Seo Dong-yong, Seo Young-seok, Song Young-gil, Song Jae-ho, Shin Jeong-hoon, Shin Hyun-young, Yang Kyung-sook, Yang Yi-won-young, Yang Jeong-sook, Oh Ki-hyung, Oh Young-hwan, Yong Hye-in, Woo Won-shik, Yoo Jeong-ju, Yoon Mi-hyang, Yoon Jae-gap, Yoon Hu-deok, Lee Kyu-min, Lee So-young, Lee Su-jin, Lee Yong-bin, Lee Yong-seon, Lee Yong-woo, Lee Won-wook, Lee Eun-joo, Lee Jae-jung, Lee Jeong-moon, Lee Tan-hee, Lee Hak-young, Lee Hyung-seok, Jang Kyung-tae, Jang Hye-young, Jeon Yong-gi, Jeon Hae-cheol, Jeong Il-young, Jo Oh-seop, Jin Sung-jun, Cheon Jun-ho, Choi Kang-wook, Choi Hye-young, Han Jun-ho, Heo Young, Hong Ki-won, and Hong Jeong-min.
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