Reviewing Special Act for Fact-Finding and Recurrence Prevention
Plan to Submit Bill Based on Bereaved Families' Draft
"Fact-Finding Will Continue Even After the State Audit Ends"
The three opposition parties (Democratic Party, Justice Party, Basic Income Party) are planning to propose the "Itaewon Disaster Special Act" to establish an independent investigative body for uncovering the truth of the October 29 Itaewon tragedy and preventing its recurrence. Discussions on the investigative body, which had been stalled for over two months since the expiration of the National Assembly's special committee on the state investigation in January, are expected to gain momentum again.
The Democratic Party's Yongsan-Itaewon Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters held a meeting at the National Assembly on the morning of the 28th to discuss this matter. After the meeting, Nam In-soon, head of the countermeasures headquarters, said in a back briefing, "The bill has been drafted, and today we are gathering opinions and discussing some further revisions," adding, "We plan to submit it jointly with the three opposition parties after discussions with the bereaved families' council and the citizens' countermeasures meeting."
This initiative was driven by the demands of the bereaved families and the special committee for additional investigation into the disaster after the special committee's term ended. At the January 18 "National Assembly Investigation Public Report," Woo Sang-ho, chairman of the special committee, stated, "Even after the national investigation ends, the truth-finding of the disaster will continue," emphasizing the insufficient investigation during the 55-day special committee period and the necessity of establishing an investigative body.
The bill is based on the draft of the "Special Act for Guaranteeing the Rights of Itaewon Disaster Victims, Truth-Finding, and Prevention of Recurrence" submitted by the bereaved families' council to each party. A representative from the countermeasures headquarters explained, "We decided to largely adopt the bereaved families' draft, respecting their wishes as much as possible, except for adjusting some detailed parts."
According to the bereaved families' draft, the special act mandates the formation of an investigative body that will operate for one year. The investigation period can be extended by six months upon the committee's decision, and the report preparation period is set within three months, making the total duration approximately one year and nine months. The investigative committee is required to consist of 17 members appointed by a recommendation committee composed of nine people: three from the bereaved families, three from the ruling party, and three from the opposition parties.
In particular, the scope of victims is defined to include the deceased, survivors, rescuers, local residents and merchants, and bereaved families of the deceased, ensuring their right to participate in the truth-finding process. The bill also includes provisions for victims to receive living and medical support from the state, as well as for memorial projects such as the establishment of a memorial park and a memorial hall.
On the 27th, officials from the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Citizens' Countermeasures Meeting held a press conference in front of the joint memorial altar for the victims of the Itaewon disaster set up at Seoul Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul, ahead of the 10.29 Truth Bus's 10-day nationwide tour departure. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
The original draft proposed by the bereaved families' council excluded provisions on compensation and reparations for the families. Regarding this, Yoon Bok-nam, the lawyer representing the bereaved families' council, explained, "Originally, it was appropriate to include compensation and reparations, but due to negative public opinion, the families felt burdened and excluded that part. However, it may be included during the legislative process in the National Assembly. That is the responsibility of the Assembly."
Additionally, the bereaved families requested the establishment of a temporary investigative body for one year instead of a permanent investigative body previously proposed by the Democratic Party. This is to promptly initiate an investigation limited to the Itaewon disaster, unlike other disasters. Lawyer Yoon said, "A permanent body would make it difficult to achieve the truth-finding the families want for the Itaewon disaster. They cannot wait endlessly for a law that may or may not come."
Since announcing the special act draft on the 28th of last month, the bereaved families' council and the citizens' countermeasures meeting have been urging the enactment of the law. A petition has been underway through the National Assembly's "National Consent Petition" since the 24th, and as of the afternoon of that day, it had garnered over 27,000 signatures. About 20 bereaved family members have been touring nationwide on the "10.29 Truth Bus" since the day before to raise awareness of the special act.
The Democratic Party is expected to actively pursue the enactment of the bill and the formation of the investigative body, as Floor Leader Park Hong-geun has continuously emphasized the need for the special act. The Justice Party and Basic Income Party have also consistently advocated for the necessity of the special act even after the special committee's term ended. In the People Power Party, Floor Leader Joo Ho-young mentioned the need for an independent investigative body on the 3rd of last month and left the door open by saying, "If the Democratic Party prepares a more concrete proposal, we will continue discussions."
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