"Government and Ruling Party, Not a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card for Impeachment Dismissal"
Opposition to Review Disaster Special Act in August Extraordinary National Assembly Session
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, promised on the 31st to enact the ‘Itaewon Disaster Special Act’.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at a meeting with the bereaved families of the October 29 Itaewon disaster held at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 31st. [Photo by Yonhap News]
On the same day, Lee held a meeting with the bereaved families of the October 29 Itaewon disaster at the National Assembly and said, “It is truly devastating that 159 worlds collapsed and yet no one takes responsibility,” emphasizing, “We will definitely pass the ‘Itaewon Disaster Special Act’ to prevent recurrence in the future.”
The Itaewon Disaster Special Act, jointly proposed in April by 183 members including the Democratic Party, Justice Party, Basic Income Party, Progressive Party, and opposition-leaning independent lawmakers, includes provisions for forming a special investigation committee for an independent fact-finding investigation, requesting the appointment of a special prosecutor upon the committee’s request if necessary, and measures to support victim recovery.
The special act was designated as a fast-track bill at the plenary session of the National Assembly on June 30 but is currently pending in the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee. Accordingly, the Democratic Party plans to review the Itaewon Disaster Special Act during the August extraordinary session of the National Assembly.
Regarding the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of the impeachment of Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, Lee said, “Only criminal punishment or dismissal prescribed by law is not the only way to take responsibility,” adding, “Sincerely acknowledging mistakes and considering why this happened, and whether there are political or moral burdens to bear, all constitute responsibility.”
He continued, “What I found most absurd and infuriating is that the government and ruling party are taking an aggressive stance as if they received a pardon just because the Constitutional Court dismissed the minister’s impeachment,” criticizing, “They do not take clear responsibility nor prepare concrete measures, so the same incidents repeat, like the Osong underground road accident.”
The bereaved families expressed sympathy with Lee’s stance. Lee Jeong-min, chairman of the Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association (Yugahyeop), said, “Through the special act, we pledged to uncover the problems and ensure that those responsible cannot escape the law, and that responsibility can be imposed with clear evidence.” He added, “We repeatedly tried to convey our stories to the ruling party, but there was no response or reaction at all,” urging, “I ask the ruling party, which denies the special act and does not meet with the bereaved families, to fulfill its role as a strong opposition party.”
Kwon Chil-seung, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters after the closed-door meeting, “The bereaved families said the Osong disaster is a mirror image of the Itaewon disaster, and since the enactment of the special act is a true tribute, they hope the special act will be passed by the first anniversary.” Kwon also conveyed, “The bereaved families felt mocked by the public when they saw Minister Lee’s expression and words during his visit to the flood recovery site in Cheongyang on the day the impeachment was dismissed.”
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