100 Days Since the Itaewon Tragedy on the 5th
Park Hong-geun: "The National Assembly Must Directly Hold Accountability and Correct Government Mistakes"
[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Park Jun-i] On the 2nd, the Democratic Party of Korea began discussions on the impeachment of Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min in connection with his overall responsibility for the Itaewon tragedy.
Park Hong-geun, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the lawmakers' meeting held immediately after the convening of the extraordinary session of the National Assembly in the afternoon, "February 5 marks the 100th day since the Itaewon tragedy occurred," adding, "The legislative branch, the National Assembly, must directly hold Minister Lee Sang-min, who is overall responsible for the Itaewon tragedy, accountable and correct the government's mistakes."
Floor leader Park said, "We cannot make the bereaved families and survivors, who have spent 100 days in tears, wait any longer. The voices calling for Minister Lee’s accountability represent the common sense of the Korean people and the heartfelt cries of the bereaved families and survivors who lost their children."
He emphasized, "Ignoring these appeals and demands means the National Assembly denies its own reason for existence and neglects its rightful responsibility. Holding Minister Lee politically, morally, administratively, and legally accountable is a matter that must be resolved regardless of any political damage."
Accordingly, it is expected that the party will unify its stance on Minister Lee’s accountability and adopt it as the party’s official position at the meeting.
On the same day, party leader Lee Jae-myung said, "I strongly urge the ruling party to participate in resolving urgent livelihood issues with a posture of sincere repentance during this extraordinary session of the National Assembly."
Leader Lee emphasized, "Before the heating cost bomb, interest bomb, and public utility bomb worsen into a nuclear bomb against people’s livelihoods, I hope the Democratic Party’s proposed 30 trillion won livelihood project negotiations will be actively engaged in."
He continued, "Since the beginning of the new year, various special task forces related to current issues have been launched and are now operating," adding, "These activities must continue to expand to ensure the party’s leading role in the livelihood economy and major issues. The party leadership plans to continue increasing task forces in specific areas that lawmakers are interested in."
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