Kukim "Itaewon Tragedy Memorial Rally Has Political Nature"
Kim Ki-hyun, Yoon Jae-ok Absent
Yoo Ui-dong, Lee Man-hee Attend
The leadership of the People Power Party will not attend the first anniversary citizen memorial rally for the Itaewon tragedy held at Seoul Plaza on the 29th. However, Innovation Committee Chair In Yo-han, Policy Committee Chair Yoo Ui-dong, and Secretary-General Lee Man-hee will attend in a personal capacity.
Secretary-General Lee met with reporters at the National Assembly that afternoon and said, "As the Democratic Party of Korea encouraged almost all its members to attend, turning it into a political rally, it became difficult for the party leader or floor leader to attend," adding, "there was an opinion that the Policy Committee Chair and I would attend in a personal capacity." Initially, party leadership including Representative Kim Ki-hyun and Floor Leader Yoon Jae-ok considered attending the memorial rally, but after Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung criticized President Yoon Seok-youl's absence and escalated the opposition's offensive, they judged the event to be a political rally.
On the 16th, marking the start of the intensive memorial period ahead of the first anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy, foreigners are seen looking at the portraits of the victims at the altar set up in front of Seoul City Hall Plaza. Photo by Huh Younghan younghan@
Earlier, at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Representative Lee said, “159 innocent citizens lost their lives without knowing why while walking on the street. No matter how you look at it, this is clearly the government's responsibility,” and added, “The Presidential Office, which declared it would not attend the first anniversary citizen memorial rally, said the reason was because it was a political rally, but if the President officially participates, no one can say it is a political rally,” pressuring President Yoon to attend the citizen memorial rally.
The Democratic Party is concentrating all its efforts on this citizen memorial rally, sending official letters from the central party to city and provincial party branches requesting attendance and encouraging joining the rally organizing committee. Representative Lee and many party leaders and incumbent lawmakers are also expected to attend the memorial rally.
However, the People Power Party leadership plans to attend the Itaewon tragedy memorial event hosted by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee on the 30th. Since the Itaewon tragedy that occurred a year ago was a national disaster, they intend to participate in the memorial.
Floor Spokesperson Jang Dong-hyuk said in a statement, "This heartbreaking incident reminded us once again that the state's responsibility to protect the safety of its citizens is infinite." "We sincerely express our condolences to those who lost their lives at that time and offer deep comfort to the bereaved families who are still carrying sorrow and enduring difficult daily lives."
Secretary-General Lee also said, "the Itaewon tragedy is a heartbreaking event for everyone," adding, "I will pray for the repose of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate disaster, and although no words can truly comfort the wounds and pain of the bereaved families, I am attending to convey even a little comfort."
Earlier, the Presidential Office stated that President Yoon's attendance was difficult because the event had a strong political rally character.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
