Park Kwang-on Meets Itaewon Bereaved Families: "Politics Must Do Its Job... Special Act, Fast-Track Designation"

"Government and Ruling Party: If They Refuse to End It, Democratic Party Has No Choice"

Park Kwang-on, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, reaffirmed his commitment to passing the Itaewon Disaster Special Act on the 26th. Urging the participation of the government and ruling party, Park stated, "Together with the Justice Party, Basic Income Party, and Progressive Party, who have united in support of the special act proposal, we will designate the Itaewon Disaster Special Act as a fast-track agenda at the plenary session on the 30th."

After holding a meeting with the bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster victims, Park shared news of their hunger strike and march via social media, saying, "It is painful to see the reality where politics cannot do what it should in the face of such desperation."

He conveyed how desperate the families are for the enactment of the special law. Park said, "The bereaved families I met at the tent hunger strike site in front of the National Assembly, who are fasting to survive, say they will do anything possible to enact the special law," adding, "The father of Lee Ju-young said, 'The special law is the last lifeline of hope.'" He also informed, "(The families) will march from 10:29 a.m. at the Seoul Plaza memorial altar to the National Assembly, covering 8.8 km daily, totaling 159 km," emphasizing, "October 29th is a vow not to forget the 159 deaths."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He reported that the Itaewon Disaster Special Act, supported by 183 lawmakers from the Democratic Party and four opposition parties, has not been discussed. Regarding the government's opposition and the ruling party's statement to "not politicize the disaster," he lamented, "If demanding victims' rights protection, fact-finding, and recurrence prevention measures is considered politicization, then we have no choice but to engage in political disputes every day."

Earlier, on the 21st, the Democratic Party confirmed the fast-track promotion of the Itaewon Disaster Special Act as a party stance through a party meeting.

Park said, "People who have lost their children and families are conducting signature campaigns, memorial rallies, relay marches, and even hunger strikes. In the face of this tragic reality, politics is infinitely shameful," adding, "Politics must do what it should: save lives and ensure no one suffers injustice."

Appealing for the participation of the government and ruling party, he said, "If they ultimately refuse, the National Assembly and the Democratic Party have no choice but to act." Explaining that it will take time even after fast-track designation, he said, "It will take time to complete the legislation. It will be a heartbreaking time for the bereaved families, but I tell them to hold hands tightly and go together."

The Itaewon Disaster Special Act, jointly proposed by the four opposition parties, includes provisions to form a special investigation committee through a National Assembly investigation committee recommendation committee, allowing the special committee to request a special prosecutor investigation if necessary. Additionally, the special act includes support for victim relief and community recovery programs.