Ruling and Opposition Parties Abruptly Agree on 'Itaewon Disaster' National Investigation... Conducted for 45 Days from the 24th (Comprehensive)

Investigation Scope Includes Presidential Office and National Security Office
45-Day Investigation Starting on the 24th Decided Through Bipartisan Agreement
Formation of 'Policy Consultative Body' Including President and Public Institution Heads Alignment

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The ruling and opposition parties have agreed to conduct a parliamentary investigation into the 'Itaewon tragedy.' The investigation is scheduled to last a total of 45 days, and the institutions under investigation include the Presidential Office's National Situation Room, the National Security Office's National Crisis Management Center, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, among others.

The floor leaders of both parties held a meeting at the National Assembly on the 23rd and announced this agreement after discussions. Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said during a back briefing after the meeting, "The floor leadership of both parties has maintained close communication on key issues related to the Itaewon tragedy parliamentary investigation. After discussions, we agreed to conduct the investigation, and we also agreed to work together to achieve results on other matters during the regular session of the National Assembly."

According to the agreement, the parliamentary investigation will begin on the 24th and continue for 45 days, with the possibility of extension by a plenary session resolution. This is a shortened plan compared to the 60-day investigation plan proposed earlier on the 21st by the three opposition parties: the Democratic Party, the Justice Party, and the Basic Income Party.

Also, unlike the ruling People Power Party's demand earlier that day for a 'parliamentary investigation after budget approval,' both parties agreed to start the investigation from the 24th. Regarding this, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, explained, "We had planned to conduct the parliamentary investigation after the investigation was completed, but since the Democratic Party, which holds the majority, said they would pass it alone tomorrow, we thought it would be right for both parties to conduct the investigation together for the people. Therefore, we agreed to conduct the parliamentary investigation together after the budget is approved."

The scope of the investigation includes ▲Presidential Office's National Situation Room ▲National Security Office's National Crisis Management Center ▲Prime Minister's Office ▲Ministry of the Interior and Safety ▲Ministry of Health and Welfare (including the Central Emergency Medical Situation Room) ▲Supreme Prosecutors' Office ▲National Police Agency ▲Fire Agency ▲Seoul Metropolitan Government ▲Yongsan District ▲Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency ▲Yongsan Police Station ▲Seoul Comprehensive Disaster Prevention Center ▲Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters ▲Yongsan Fire Station ▲Seoul Transportation Corporation, and other institutions deemed necessary by the committee through resolution.

The Special Committee on the Parliamentary Investigation will be composed of 9 members from the Democratic Party, 7 from the People Power Party, and 2 from non-negotiating parties (Justice Party and Basic Income Party), with the chairperson appointed from the Democratic Party.

If the parliamentary investigation plan passes the plenary session on the 24th, after a preparation period including document submission, institutional reports, on-site verification, and hearings will be conducted immediately after the 2023 budget is processed.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, on the same day, the ruling and opposition parties agreed to form a 'policy consultation body' for the passage of bills. The consultation body will discuss the Government Organization Act and related bills, as well as bills to align the terms of heads of public institutions with the president's term expiration. The body will consist of three members from each party: the policy committee chairs, senior deputy floor leaders, and secretaries of the National Assembly's Administration and Safety Committee.

Additionally, the National Assembly will establish ▲Special Committee on Population Crisis ▲Special Committee on Climate Crisis ▲Special Committee on Advanced Strategic Industries. The Population Crisis Special Committee will be composed of 10 members from the Democratic Party, 7 from the People Power Party, and 1 from non-negotiating parties, with the chairperson from the People Power Party.

The Climate Crisis Special Committee will be composed of 10 members from the Democratic Party, 7 from the People Power Party, and 1 from non-negotiating parties, with the chairperson from the Democratic Party. The Advanced Strategic Industries Special Committee will be composed of 10 members from the Democratic Party, 7 from the People Power Party, and 1 from non-negotiating parties, with the chairperson from the People Power Party. Each committee's activity period is one year.

Furthermore, a 'Presidential Election Common Pledge Promotion Team' will be formed to legislate policies and bills commonly pledged by both ruling and opposition parties during the 20th presidential election.