National Assembly Adopts Itaewon Disaster Special Investigation Committee Plan After Many Twists and Turns (Comprehensive)

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office Agrees with Ruling and Opposition Parties to Conduct a National Audit Only on Drug Investigation Matters

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] On the 24th, the National Assembly held a plenary session and adopted a national investigation plan to uncover the truth behind the Yongsan Itaewon tragedy and prevent its recurrence. Regarding the investigation target institutions, the Special Committee on the National Investigation adjusted to focus only on the drug investigation-related parts of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, based on an agreement between the ruling and opposition floor leaders.

During the plenary session, the National Assembly adopted a national investigation plan to clarify the facts surrounding the deaths of 158 people during the Itaewon Halloween festival on the 29th of last month and to prepare measures to prevent recurrence. Among the 254 members present, 220 voted in favor, 13 opposed, and 21 abstained.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The investigation period is set for 45 days from this day (until January 7 of next year), with the possibility of extension by agreement between the ruling and opposition parties. Considering the budget review period, the full-scale activities of the Special Committee on the National Investigation will begin after the budget is processed, with preparatory activities conducted beforehand.

The scope of the investigation includes ▲Presidential Office National Situation Room ▲National Security Office 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 Police Agency ▲Yongsan Police Station ▲Seoul Comprehensive Disaster Prevention Center ▲Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters ▲Yongsan Fire Station ▲Seoul Transportation Corporation, as well as other institutions specially recognized as necessary by the committee through resolution.

However, despite the agreement reached the previous day, the ruling and opposition parties engaged in a protracted dispute over the Supreme Prosecutors' Office among the target institutions. The People Power Party explicitly demanded that the Supreme Prosecutors' Office be limited to drug investigations, and through an agreement between the ruling and opposition secretaries, it was decided to summon the head of the drug investigation department of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office as a witness. Regarding the national investigation of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the ruling and opposition parties also agreed to limit questions to those related to drug investigations.

Meanwhile, during the plenary session, Jo Jeong-hoon, a member of the Transition Era Party, expressed opposition, stating, "I cannot overlook the concern that this national investigation might become a political investigation, dragging victims and bereaved families into the whirlpool of political strife again and fostering national division."