Jung Jin-seok on 112 Recording Release: "Proper Responsibility Must Be Taken... Apologize to the People"

Proposal to Form a Special Committee with Ruling and Opposition Parties and Experts Targeting the Democratic Party of Korea

Jeong Jin-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 2nd and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kum Boryeong, Kwon Hyunji] The People Power Party raised calls for accountability of those responsible after the release of the 112 emergency call recordings on the day of the 'Itaewon tragedy.'

Jung Jin-seok, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, stated at the emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 2nd, "The reasons why the police, who were dispatched to the scene four times, made incorrect on-site judgments, and why sufficient on-site measures such as reinforcement of riot police forces were not taken, must be thoroughly investigated," adding, "And appropriate responsibility must be held."

Chairman Jung also emphasized, "There were a total of 12 urgent rescue signals before the accident," and said, "This is extremely embarrassing and regrettable. We are deeply sorry to the people."

He continued, "The government's primary duty is to protect the lives and safety of the people," and stated, "The government and the ruling party bear unlimited responsibility for the Itaewon accident in which 156 citizens lost their lives. We will not shift responsibility anywhere. We will do everything possible to manage the Itaewon accident and ensure that such an incident never happens again."

The People Power Party also proposed to the Democratic Party of Korea the formation of a 'Special Committee for the Investigation of the Itaewon Accident,' involving both ruling and opposition parties as well as experts, after the mourning period ends. Separately, the People Power Party plans to establish its own special committee immediately following the mourning period.

However, Chairman Jung said, "What is needed now is not speed but the correct direction," adding, "Accountability must proceed based on an accurate investigation of the cause of the accident. We must present feasible measures based on a precise analysis of this accident." This implies that while accountability will be pursued, the timing is not 'immediately.'

After the emergency committee meeting, when asked by reporters about rumors of dismissal of Police Chief Yoon Hee-geun and Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, Chairman Jung replied, "First, the truth must be uncovered, and the causes of the facts must be identified. Only then should responsibility be held."