Park Kwang-on: "The 'Itaewon Disaster Special Act' Must Be Enacted"

"Thorough Investigation of the Truth... Efforts to Hold Accountability Continue"

Park Kwang-on, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 26th, "The Democratic Party will take full responsibility and definitely enact the 'Itaewon Disaster Special Act'."

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Park said, "The bereaved families are tearfully protesting, saying they cannot accept the Constitutional Court's decision yesterday to dismiss the impeachment motion against Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, and the public is also frustrated."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Park emphasized, "The government's responsibility does not disappear just because the Constitutional Court decided not to dismiss (Minister Lee). As the minister responsible for protecting the lives and safety of the people, the government should apologize to the bereaved families with at least humility, remorse, and a sense of responsibility."

He added, "This is a national tragedy where 159 citizens lost their lives, yet no one in responsible positions such as the President, Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior and Safety, Mayor of Seoul, Yongsan District Mayor, or Commissioner General of the National Police Agency has apologized to the victims and their families or taken responsibility, which is arrogance toward the people."

Park reiterated, "The Democratic Party will continue efforts to hold those responsible accountable," and stressed again, "We will definitely enact the Itaewon Disaster Special Act." He explained, "The Constitutional Court clearly pointed out the government's poor response through a separate opinion, stating that Minister Lee Sang-min undermined public trust in disaster safety management and that it is difficult to see that he faithfully performed his duties overseeing disaster response, thus violating the 'National Public Service Act.'"

He continued, "We will thoroughly investigate the truth of all processes and hold accountable those who should be held responsible," adding, "That is the way to prevent another national tragedy and the path to national unity that heals the wounds of the victims, their families, and the people."