Democratic, Justice, and Basic Income Parties Submit Request for National Investigation into 'Itaewon Disaster'
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The Democratic Party of Korea, together with the Justice Party and the Basic Income Party, submitted a request for a national investigation into the ‘Itaewon crowd crush disaster’ on the 9th. The People Power Party reaffirmed its stance of “not responding to the submission request,” making the national investigation to be reported at tomorrow’s plenary session a potential powder keg for partisan conflict.
Wi Seong-gon, the Democratic Party’s senior deputy floor leader, Jang Hye-young, the Justice Party’s senior deputy floor leader, and Yong Hye-in, a Basic Income Party lawmaker, visited the National Assembly’s legislative affairs office around 2:30 p.m. that day to submit the request for a national investigation. The request called for clarifying the causes of the Itaewon disaster and identifying the direct and indirect causes and responsibilities for the large-scale loss of life.
It also plans to examine whether the government’s disaster safety management system, including local governments, the Fire Agency, the National Police Agency, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Presidential Office, functioned properly before and after the disaster. Additionally, the investigation aims to cover ▲ allegations of concealment, minimization, and distortion of facts by the government and local governments ▲ the appropriateness of government support measures and follow-up plans for victims, their families, on-site public officials, journalists, citizens, and affected areas ▲ and other suspicions and necessary matters raised during the investigation process.
After submitting the request, Senior Deputy Floor Leader Wi told reporters, “Today, the People Power Party even proposed forming a special committee including the government to investigate, so if we persuade them to conduct the investigation excluding the government, I believe it will be possible.”
Senior Deputy Floor Leader Jang emphasized, “I believe the accumulated failures to fulfill the duty to protect public safety and lives led to this disaster,” adding, “Political responsibility beyond legal liability must be held accountable through the national investigation.” Lawmaker Yong said, “If the national investigation is conducted, the National Assembly will be able to demand the submission of materials with stronger enforcement power, and perjury can also be punished,” noting, “The national investigation is effective.”
Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
On the 7th, Jeong Jin-seok, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, attended the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly. Before speaking, he tightly closed his mouth and looked around the meeting room. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
On the other hand, the People Power Party clearly opposes the national investigation. Joo Ho-young, the People Power Party floor leader, told reporters in front of the party’s floor leader office in the National Assembly in the afternoon, “We believe that swift compulsory investigation is the most effective and principled approach, and that a national investigation without enforcement power only hinders the investigation and causes partisan strife.”
He reiterated, “We will consider a national investigation if there are shortcomings in the ongoing investigation process, but since the investigation is proceeding smoothly now, proposing a national investigation at this time seems to have ulterior motives.”
When asked if there is a countermeasure in case the national investigation request is adopted because the Democratic Party is the majority despite the People Power Party’s opposition, Joo replied, “If the majority party pushes through with the power of numbers, it effectively becomes meaningless,” adding, “We believe the Democratic Party will not go that far.”
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