"Now Is the Time to Share Pain and Suffering"... Ceasefire in Full-Scale Conflict Between Ruling and Opposition Parties, 'Bipartisan Cooperation'

Atmosphere Strengthening Ruling Party's Recurrence Prevention Measures and Opposition's Accountability
Decided to Receive Only the Public Safety Committee Report Without Separate Inquiries

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok, Oh Ju-yeon, Lee Hyun-joo] The ruling and opposition parties are refraining from political disputes while mourning the victims during the national mourning period for the Itaewon tragedy. They have collectively promised bipartisan cooperation to comfort the bereaved families and support the government’s efforts to manage the situation. The political sphere, which had been unusually confrontational due to controversies such as the Democratic Party’s illegal presidential election funds scandal, has entered a ‘ceasefire’ following this tragedy. However, while the ruling party emphasizes preventive measures such as rebuilding the social safety net, the opposition party focuses on holding those responsible for the tragedy accountable, revealing a difference in the tone of ‘bipartisan cooperation.’

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆"Comprehensive Reexamination of the Social Safety Net"=On the 31st, Chung Jin-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, stated at the party’s emergency committee meeting, "We will share the pain and suffering of the bereaved families during the mourning period until the 5th of next month," adding, "We will do our best to comfort the families and assist in the accident response."

Both ruling and opposition parties are refraining from political disputes while mourning the victims during the national mourning period for the Itaewon tragedy. They have collectively promised bipartisan cooperation to comfort the bereaved families and support the government’s efforts to manage the situation. The political sphere, which had been unusually confrontational due to controversies such as the Democratic Party’s illegal presidential election funds scandal, has entered a ‘ceasefire’ following this tragedy. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, also expressed condolences, saying, "I pray for the souls of those who passed away in the accident," and expressed gratitude to the Democratic Party and its leader Lee Jae-myung for agreeing to suspend all political activities and fully cooperate with the government’s accident response and healing measures.

Along with this, the People Power Party’s organization department distributed an ‘Emergency Action Code during the National Mourning Period’ to all party members on the same day, urging special caution. The code includes refraining from unnecessary public activities or private gatherings, avoiding alcohol consumption and posting on social media, and wearing black ribbons at official events.

The Democratic Party of Korea also expressed its intention to actively participate in managing the situation. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting, "While it is natural that follow-up measures will be taken to understand why such a horrific incident occurred and what steps are needed to prevent it in the future, for now, we will focus all our efforts on managing the situation and offering comfort."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆No Q&A, Only Briefing at the Public Administration and Security Committee=The National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, which met on the same day, proceeded calmly. Park Jin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, explained, "There are 41 foreign casualties, including 26 deaths and 15 injuries," and added, "We have taken measures to closely coordinate with the embassies in Korea regarding the foreign deceased." As part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ response, "The embassies where deaths occurred have separately sent letters of condolence under the minister’s name," and "Officials have been matched one-on-one to verify identities, connect with bereaved families, and facilitate their entry into Korea," he explained.

The National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee, which will receive a briefing on the Itaewon tragedy on the 1st of next month, will have minimal attendance from government officials, including Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, and will receive only the briefing without any questions. Lee Man-hee, People Power Party’s secretary of the committee, said in a phone interview, "Since we are still in the response phase, only Minister Lee and the heads of the police and fire agencies will attend to focus on managing the accident response and supporting the victims." Kim Kyo-heung, Democratic Party’s secretary of the committee, also said, "At this moment, the priority is managing the accident response; we will assess the situation and provide support as needed," adding, "Later, through fact-finding, the committee plans to prepare preventive measures." The omission of questioning reflects the intention to allow government officials to return promptly and to avoid unnecessary political disputes.

◆Differences in Ruling and Opposition Responses After the Response Phase=While both parties are refraining from political disputes for now, their statements reveal different focuses. Chairman Chung said, "Please calmly observe the government’s accident response and the preparation of measures to identify causes," adding, "It is necessary to conduct a detailed analysis of what preventive measures could have been taken and whether they were followed." He continued, "Even if it takes time, response measures are necessary," and stated, "We will comprehensively reexamine the social safety net, upgrade it to the level of advanced countries, and properly allocate the budget," emphasizing the preparation of preventive measures.

On the other hand, the opposition party expressed its intention to do its best in managing the situation but also indicated that once the response phase is somewhat complete, it will actively pursue accountability. Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said, "Post-accident management is the top priority," but also warned, "All citizens who have witnessed this unbelievable tragedy are deeply saddened and question how such an incident could happen in Korea; it is the National Assembly’s responsibility to clearly identify causes and accountability and prepare preventive measures," signaling follow-up actions.

The opposition also criticized Minister Lee Sang-min’s remark that "the crowd was not one to be concerned about." Ahn Ho-young, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said, "Minister Lee’s comment is highly inappropriate," but refrained from further remarks, stating, "For now, the priority is to do our best in managing the accident response."

◆Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Full Support for Victims of the Tragedy=Due to the large number of foreign victims, the Itaewon tragedy was also addressed at the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee. Park Jin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, explained, "There are 41 foreign casualties, including 26 deaths and 15 injuries," and added, "We have taken measures to closely coordinate with the embassies in Korea regarding the foreign deceased." As part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ response, "The embassies where deaths occurred have separately sent letters of condolence under the minister’s name," and "Officials have been matched one-on-one to verify identities, connect with bereaved families, and facilitate their entry into Korea," he explained.

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