On the 22nd, full meeting of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee sees ruling and opposition parties clash
Democratic Party: "Conditions must be created to identify shortcomings"
People Power Party: "Fast-track designation announcement must be withdrawn"
On the 22nd, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over the referral of the Itaewon disaster truth-finding special law to the standing committee. The Democratic Party of Korea argued that the National Assembly must take action for a clearer investigation into the Itaewon disaster and to prevent recurrence, while the People Power Party countered that the Democratic Party's announcement to adopt the Itaewon disaster special law as a party stance and designate it as a fast-track bill was "politicizing the disaster."
On the same day, the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee held a plenary session in the morning and referred the "Special Act on Guaranteeing the Rights of Victims of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster, Truth-Finding, and Prevention of Recurrence."
On the 22nd, at the plenary meeting of the Administrative Safety Committee held in the National Assembly, Chairman Kim Gyo-heung is striking the gavel. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
Kang Byung-won, the opposition party's floor leader and a Democratic Party lawmaker, explained during the substitute debate, "The October 29 Itaewon Disaster Special Act referred to today has over 50,000 signatures on the National Assembly's public petition, and was jointly proposed by 183 lawmakers from the Democratic Party, Justice Party, Basic Income Party, and Progressive Party, showing broad support within the National Assembly and significant public interest."
Kang said, "Although there was a truth investigation at the National Assembly level, clear investigation into the disaster was not achieved due to false testimonies, retractions, and insufficient data submission. Concrete measures for memorializing the victims and establishing an independent investigative body involving bereaved families and survivors are necessary, but none of these have been implemented." He emphasized the purpose of the bill as "to realize the nationwide desire to ensure that such a disaster never happens again."
He continued, addressing the People Power Party, "I hope you will join in legislation that wipes away the tears of the victims and their families. If there are any disagreements, I am confident that through sufficient discussion, reasonable alternatives can be found." He also said, "Creating conditions that can thoroughly clarify the parts considered insufficient is the role of politics."
The special law for truth-finding of the Itaewon disaster, jointly proposed by 183 lawmakers from the Democratic Party, Justice Party, Basic Income Party, Progressive Party, and opposition-leaning independents in April, includes provisions for forming a special investigative committee for independent truth-finding, requesting the National Assembly's resolution to appoint a special prosecutor if necessary, and demanding audits from the Board of Audit and Inspection.
The Democratic Party, which designated the Itaewon disaster special law as a party stance the day before, plans to designate it as a fast-track bill at the plenary session on the 30th.
On the same day, Lee So-young, the floor spokesperson, told reporters after the morning policy coordination meeting, "We cannot avoid reviewing the procedure for designating a fast-track bill." She explained, "Under the fast-track procedure, it can take up to 330 days, or 11 months, until the bill is referred to the plenary session. We will continue to seek cooperation from the People Power Party during this process, but if opposition continues, the maximum period could be fully used. Considering this, we plan to proceed with the fast-track designation procedure at the plenary session on June 30."
However, the People Power Party strongly opposed the Democratic Party's party stance promotion and fast-track designation announcement.
On the 22nd, at the plenary meeting of the Administrative Safety Committee held in the National Assembly, Chairman Kim Gyo-heung is striking the gavel. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
Lee Man-hee, the ruling party's floor leader and a People Power Party lawmaker, said, "There is no doubt about whether the Itaewon special law promoted by the opposition truly comforts the bereaved families and aims to prevent recurrence. Setting aside the issues contained in the bill, I cannot help but question the Democratic Party's intention in designating it as a party stance without ruling party consensus at this time."
He added, "Many say this bill is similar to the Sewol ferry disaster, but there are many fundamental differences. The Sewol disaster occurred in the middle of the sea, where access was difficult, and there were many limitations in response, rescue activities, and evidence collection. However, the Itaewon disaster is undergoing cause and responsibility investigations, and judicial trials are currently in progress." He said, "I am not saying that the Itaewon disaster and the Sewol ferry disaster should be placed on the same level to argue the necessity of a special law."
He also criticized the bill's contents point by point, including the neutrality and authority of the investigative committee. Lee said, "If it were not serious, there would not even be talk of constitutional violations," and pointed out the broad scope of victims as well. He continued, "Behind the Democratic Party's strong push to designate the bill as a fast-track, abusing the National Assembly's legislative authority with a majority of seats, they are politicizing the disaster. There should be a review of whether it is appropriate to promote this content at this time."
Jo Eun-hee, also from the same party, pointed out that the Itaewon disaster special law should not become a second '검수완박' (prosecutorial reform law). Jo said, "The legal and institutional completeness is lacking," and emphasized, "The Democratic Party's attitude of designating the Itaewon disaster special law as a fast-track bill raises concerns that, like the 검수완박 law processed via fast-track which caused a year of public suffering, it will inflict false hope on the bereaved families of the disaster. Genuine deliberation is necessary."
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