Picket Protest Turns Pohang Earthquake Truth Commission's 'Resident Hearing Meeting' into Rally

Prime Minister's Committee Holds Closed Meeting on the 12th to Hear Residents' Opinions
About 20 Citizens Stage Picket Protest Demanding 'Compensation for Damages and Strict Punishment for Those Involved'

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] The Pohang Earthquake Truth Investigation Committee, an agency under the Prime Minister, held a 'Residents' Opinion Hearing' on the 12th at the Pohang City Hall main conference room to listen to the voices of local residents before starting full-scale investigation activities.

The meeting was held privately with 17 attendees, including 8 members of the Truth Investigation Committee, Pohang City Council members, representatives of Pohang earthquake-related organizations, and residents.

Kim Sang-won, Chair of the Pohang City Council's Special Committee on Earthquake Damage Countermeasures, said, "It is true that there is both anticipation and skepticism about whether the Truth Investigation Committee can conduct an investigation at a level that citizens can accept," adding, "Since the April audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection revealed that the Pohang earthquake was a man-made disaster caused by the government's overall mismanagement, a clear investigation and substantial compensation and relief must be carried out."

Before the meeting, the Truth Investigation Committee visited the geothermal power plant site and the earthquake damage areas in the Heunghae region in the morning to directly confirm the damage situation from the November 15, 2017 earthquake.

At the Pohang City Hall main conference room where the event was held, about 20 citizens held placards with phrases such as 'Compensation for earthquake damage' and 'Strict punishment for those responsible through thorough investigation' and staged a protest.

Lee Hak-eun, Chair of the Truth Investigation Committee, emphasized, "We will actively reflect the voices of residents heard at today's hearing and strive to reveal the specific causes and responsibilities based on expertise and scientific evidence through an objective and fair investigation."

Meanwhile, the Pohang Earthquake Truth Investigation Committee is a committee under the Prime Minister established on April 1 based on the 'Special Act on the Investigation of the Truth and Relief of Damage of the Pohang Earthquake,' enacted at the end of last year. The committee is accepting investigation applications from citizens and organizations from June 1 to July 30 to clarify the causes and responsibilities of the Pohang earthquake.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.