Purple Scarf-Wearing Woo Won-shik "The National Assembly Will Play Its Role"
Victims "Please Stop the Secondary Harm"
A memorial event was held at the National Assembly to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy. In front of the bereaved families urging for the truth to be uncovered and for the cessation of secondary harm, the Speaker of the National Assembly and leaders of both ruling and opposition parties unanimously emphasized the prevention of recurrence of such a tragedy.
Woo Won-shik, Speaker of the National Assembly, delivers a greeting at the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster 2nd Anniversary Memorial held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 29th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the 29th, Woo Won-shik, Speaker of the National Assembly, wearing a purple scarf, said at the 10.29 Itaewon Tragedy 2nd Anniversary National Assembly Memorial held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, "The memorial is a place for consolation but also a place to resolve to uncover the truth to prevent recurrence," adding, "We must remember the time when the excitement of a festival turned into the fear of death and the sorrow of losing family and friends turned into anger and despair." He also said, "On behalf of the National Assembly, I apologize to the bereaved families who have endured sorrow and pain with their whole bodies," and emphasized, "The National Assembly will play its role to ensure that the Special Investigation Committee on the Itaewon Tragedy (Special Committee) fulfills its responsibilities without any concealment, distortion, delay, or obstruction."
The ruling party also promised to support the operation of the Special Committee. Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, said, "We vow and vow again to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again," adding, "We will strive to make the state present in every time and space of the Republic of Korea. We will build a safe Korea so that the innocent sacrifices are not in vain."
The opposition criticized the Yoon Seok-yeol administration for still not taking responsibility for the Itaewon tragedy. Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "There is overwhelming evidence that the Itaewon tragedy was a man-made disaster caused by the failure of the national system to function properly," adding, "It is the mission of the National Assembly and our responsibility as survivors to clearly identify the cause of the tragedy and ensure that those responsible are held accountable."
There were also calls for the dismissal of Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and an apology from President Yoon Seok-yeol. Chun Ha-ram, floor leader of the Reform New Party, said, "Our society must not be governed by shameless powers that take no responsibility. Politics must not regress compared to 30 years ago when the Seongsu Bridge collapsed and the Prime Minister took responsibility," adding, "Today, I urge President Yoon again: dismiss this minister and humbly apologize to the bereaved families and the public for failing to hold those responsible accountable in a timely manner."
Woo Won-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly, Choo Kyung-ho, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, Park Chan-dae, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and other attendees are observing a moment of silence at the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster 2nd Anniversary Memorial held on the morning of the 29th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. [Photo by Yonhap News]
The bereaved families and survivors of the tragedy requested support from the National Assembly. Lee Jeong-min, an operating committee member of the Itaewon Tragedy Bereaved Families Association, said, "It is important for the National Assembly to support the Special Committee, which has just taken its first steps, to operate well," and added, "Please engage in politics that empathizes with and tries to understand the hearts of the people."
They also urged the cessation of secondary harm. Lee, the committee member, pointed out, "Secondary harm is another crime that tightens emotions and suffocates." Survivor Lee Joo-hyun emphasized, "Many people have become accustomed to hiding the facts in a social atmosphere that does not recognize victims and survivors," adding, "We must conduct active victim investigations rather than passive ones."
About 120 bereaved family members and over 60 lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties attended the memorial. The lawmakers wore purple scarves and offered incense before the portraits of the victims. This was the first time the National Assembly held a memorial for a social disaster.
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