[Exclusive] Joo Ho-young: "Sewol Ferry Records Disclosure, the 200-Person Requirement Means Not to Do It... Will Consider and Gather Opinions"

Next Week, Proposal to Demand Disclosure of Presidential Records on Sewol Ferry Disaster Expected to be Submitted

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the emergency discussion on "The U.S. Presidential Election and the Outlook on Korea-U.S. Relations" held at the National Assembly on the 23rd, delivering a greeting./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, commented on the demand for the disclosure of Blue House records related to the Sewol ferry disaster, saying, "The requirement of 200 members of the National Assembly's approval is the highest threshold, similar to a constitutional amendment. It essentially implies a strong discouragement. We will consider it and gather opinions from the members to decide our position."

Go Young-in, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, plans to propose a bill demanding the disclosure of presidential records related to the Sewol ferry disaster early next week. As co-sponsors, 119 members including those from the Justice Party and the Open Democratic Party have already joined.

In a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 23rd, Floor Leader Joo said, "If the bill is proposed, we will gather opinions and decide our stance," adding, "There have already been four investigations into the Sewol ferry disaster." He also remarked, "I am not sure if the Democratic Party will agree to verify the records after the Moon Jae-in administration."

The proposal demands access to and submission of copies of documents and their lists produced or received by the Presidential Secretariat, Presidential Security Service, and National Security Office from immediately after the Sewol ferry disaster on April 16, 2014, until the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. This includes documents related to the accident, rescue, recovery, and fact-finding measures.

These records were sealed under a protection period designated by then Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn in 2017. However, according to the Presidential Records Management Act, if two-thirds of the total members of the National Assembly, i.e., more than 200 members, approve, the records can be disclosed. Since about 15 more members beyond those from the ruling coalition and the Justice Party are needed, the participation of the People Power Party is essential.

Floor Leader Joo reportedly met with the families of the Sewol victims at the end of July, where the families requested cooperation for the disclosure of the records. Joo expressed a general willingness to consider the matter.

Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, issued a public apology and expelled former lawmaker Cha Myung-jin after his controversial remarks about the Sewol ferry disaster during the last general election. In June, the party withdrew its plan to recruit Professor Lee Kyung-jeon as head of the Yeouido Institute after his past support for Cha was revealed.

In the proposal, Representative Go stated, "The Sewol ferry disaster was a national tragedy that caused great shock and wounds to the victims, their families, and all the people of the Republic of Korea," emphasizing the need for an unreserved truth-finding investigation into the disaster that resulted from the collapse of the national system.

He continued, "It is very important to disclose information stored as designated records in the Presidential Archives to clarify the appropriateness and legality of the response by state agencies responsible for the rescue of Sewol passengers on the day of the disaster, to guarantee the public's right to know, and to build a safe society."

Park Sung-min, Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting on the 21st, "I was a high school senior when the Sewol ferry disaster occurred. Six years have passed since then, but the truth of that day remains undisclosed," urging, "Will the People Power Party turn a blind eye again? Please actively step forward to ensure a proper investigation."

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