Opposition Three Parties to Submit Request for National Investigation into 'Itaewon Tragedy' Today

Democratic Party Submits with Justice Party and Basic Income Party
Democratic and People Power Parties Fail to Narrow Differences in High-Level Talks
Opposition May Push Alone... Expected to Proceed with Forceful Measures

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The Democratic Party, the Justice Party, and the Basic Income Party have decided to submit a request for a national investigation into the 'Itaewon crowd crush disaster' to the National Assembly. They plan to submit the request solely with opposition parties excluding the People Power Party and push it through.

According to the Democratic Party, the Justice Party, and others on the 9th, Democratic Party Floor Leader Wi Seong-gon, Justice Party Floor Leader Jang Hye-young, and Basic Income Party lawmaker Yong Hye-in are scheduled to submit the national investigation request to the legislative affairs office in the afternoon. The Democratic Party and others plan to have the request reported at the plenary session held the following day (the 10th).

Previously, the Democratic Party criticized the police investigation into the Itaewon disaster as a 'self-investigation' and has been pushing for a national investigation. On the other hand, the People Power Party has opposed the national investigation, stating that it is a priority to observe the police investigation results. In response, the Democratic Party intends to enforce the national investigation in cooperation with the Justice Party and the Basic Income Party, which have expressed support for the investigation. After the national investigation request is reported at the plenary session, the Speaker of the National Assembly may form a special committee for the national investigation in consultation with the representatives of the negotiating groups.

The special committee is formed according to the proportion of members from negotiating groups, but negotiating groups refusing to participate in the national investigation may be excluded. Once the special committee is formed, the investigation plan must be finalized and approved at the plenary session. The three opposition parties plan to handle this at the plenary session scheduled for the 24th.

On the same day, the Democratic Party also urged the People Power Party to join the national investigation. Park Hong-geun, the floor leader, said at the party's morning supreme council meeting, "The public asks why their children had to die at the Itaewon site," adding, "The People Power Party's refusal to participate is a direct confrontation against the public's demand to uncover the truth."