[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] On the 1st, opposition party members of the Itaewon Disaster Special Committee (Special Committee) held a meeting with the bereaved families at the National Assembly and emphasized that they would thoroughly investigate the truth.
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The meeting was arranged at the request of the '10·29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Council Preparatory Group' (tentative name). Members of the People Power Party did not attend the meeting.
Before the meeting began, Woo Sang-ho, chairman of the Special Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed regret over the absence of ruling party members, saying, "At least when meeting with the bereaved families, shouldn't we meet regardless of political disputes?" He added, "I cannot help but feel frustrated by the talk of boycotting the state investigation over the position of Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min. During the Sewol Ferry disaster, former Minister Lee Ju-young, who was in charge, stayed at Paengmok Port and took the lead in managing the situation."
Kim Gyo-heung, opposition party secretary of the Special Committee, said, "We will do our best to thoroughly investigate the truth, punish those responsible accordingly, and prepare measures to prevent such disasters from happening again."
The bereaved families who attended the meeting shed tears while demanding the truth be revealed. Jo Mi-eun, mother of the late actor Lee Ji-han, who died in the disaster, said, "In the short period of 45 days, I felt uncomfortable with the agreement that excluded even the Presidential Security Service," and opened up, "I couldn't sleep worrying whether the National Assembly truly has the will to investigate the truth." She urged, "Please thoroughly investigate the wrongdoings of those who evade responsibility."
Lee’s father knelt down and raised his voice, saying, "I requested a meeting with the Presidential Office, but there has been no contact for nearly a month. Please reveal the truth. Is demanding the dismissal of Minister Lee Sang-min a matter of political dispute? Is this a country?"
The bereaved families requested the Special Committee to ▲ establish a memorial space for the victims ▲ create a communication space for the bereaved families ▲ allow experts and professional committee members recommended by the bereaved families to participate in the preliminary investigation of the state investigation.
After the meeting, Representative Kim Gyo-heung told reporters, "We plan to summon survivors who were at the disaster site as witnesses to the Special Committee to hear and investigate the situation at that time. Also, Representative Jin Sun-mi of the Democratic Party will create a channel so that the bereaved families can communicate and share their opinions."
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