Opposition: "Comforting Victims More Important Than Substantive Truth"... Kim Dae-gi: "Fact-Finding Is an Obligation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] At the full meeting of the National Assembly's Steering Committee, opposition party lawmakers raised their voices, saying that it is more important to consider consolation for the victims and the positions of the bereaved families than the substantive truth. Kim Dae-gi, Chief Secretary of the Presidential Office, emphasized the importance of fact-finding and countered.

On the 9th, at the full meeting of the National Assembly Steering Committee, Kang Deuk-gu, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said to Chief Secretary Kim, "Some people say we should first find out the truth, but a significant part of public opinion is that personnel measures should be taken first," adding, "In my view, what is important is to consider the position of the moderate public opinion, to console the victims, and to think about the bereaved families."

He continued, "We need to reconsider what would capture the hearts of the people," and emphasized the need for a summit meeting by saying, "In times of serious economic crisis, inter-Korean crisis, and livelihood crisis, how should we resolve the pressing issues? Shouldn't President Yoon Seok-yeol and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung meet?"

Kang said, "I think we need to consider a message of bipartisan harmony through a summit meeting," and asked, "Are you willing to arrange an official meeting between President Yoon and Leader Lee?"

In response, Chief Secretary Kim said, "I have received suggestions for a summit meeting, but the term 'summit' doesn't seem appropriate. I have thought about arranging a meeting with the floor leaders of each party," adding, "The day after tomorrow, the President will go on a trip, so I will make a suggestion."

Meanwhile, Kang Min-jung, a member of the same party, also criticized the government's pursuit of 'substantive truth' as 'prosecutorial investigation' rather than politics. Kang said, "It was said that the important thing in the Itaewon tragedy is to reveal the 'substantive truth,' but it seems to be an approach focusing on how much the law was observed or violated," and pointed out, "Responding this way is not about doing politics but about doing prosecutorial investigation."

She said, "I believe the people voted for the President expecting politics, but the President's entire attention and capability are focused on whether each citizen and each institution is following the law or not. The people did not elect the President to only pay attention to this and solve only those problems."

In response, Chief Secretary Kim said, "Young souls died absurdly without knowing why, so we must find out why they died," adding, "Even though 112 was called, why did I die so absurdly? Wasn't traffic control done? I believe there is an obligation to provide answers to these questions."

He also indirectly criticized the controversy over the words 'accident' and 'disaster,' saying, "But we are arguing whether it was an accident or a disaster over the dead, so how do you think the children would feel?"

Meanwhile, criticism was also raised at the Steering Committee meeting regarding the 'written note' controversy involving Kim Eun-hye, Chief of Public Relations, and Kang Seung-gyu, Chief of Civil Society. Kang Deuk-gu said, "This is a place where lawmakers, entrusted by the people, question on behalf of the people," and pointed out, "Chief Secretary Kim apologized officially, but such an attitude is not desirable." In response, Chief Secretary Kim said, "I said it was inappropriate and apologized."