All Opposition Judiciary Committee Members: "Ruling Party Refuses Even Private Issue Inquiries... Absolutely Unacceptable"

Requested inquiry was refused despite being private
Following the previous day’s 행안위, another 'one-sided report' controversy
"Current issue inquiries are not a place for issue notifications"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Opposition members of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee protested on the morning of the 2nd that the ruling party refused their proposal to conduct a closed-door inquiry during the committee's briefing on the 'Itaewon disaster' issue.

All members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea held a press conference at the National Assembly that day, stating, "The National Assembly must shed the mask of bipartisan cooperation deception and actually get to work."

They said, "During the final coordination of the committee's agenda on the 31st of last month, the Democratic Party proposed to the ruling party to hold a briefing and a closed-door inquiry on the Itaewon disaster during today's plenary session," adding, "However, the People Power Party insists on agreeing only to the briefing. They refuse to accept the closed-door inquiry as well," criticizing the ruling party.

They continued, "We requested a reconsideration yesterday (the 1st) morning, but we couldn't even have a phone call between the committee secretaries."

The members stated, "While they talk about bipartisan cooperation upfront, behind the scenes they show a contradictory attitude by refusing the most basic briefing and inquiry," and pointed out, "If they block the National Assembly's questions on behalf of the people, it reveals that bipartisan cooperation was merely an illusion."

They added, "If the ruling party accepts our legitimate briefing and inquiry even now, we will immediately participate in the committee meeting."

Committee member Ki Dong-min, after the press conference, told reporters, "We proposed this because (with inquiries) the current government measures could be improved in completeness and comprehensive measures that resonate with the public could be prepared, but we cannot accept their refusal," explaining, "We intended to present comprehensive alternatives, but not being able to do even that means the National Assembly is denying its own responsibilities."

He also said, "The minister appeared, so when an issue arises, shouldn't all questions be allowed? It's quite bitter. How can they operate like this?" he questioned.

Member Lee Tan-hee also said, "An inquiry on current issues is not a place to be merely informed of the issues," adding, "The public obtains information through inquiries in the National Assembly."

He further explained, "It is the duty of lawmakers to provide sufficient information to the public through the inquiry process and to create better, more complete measures."

During the briefing by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the National Police Agency, and the Fire Agency held the previous day, the ruling and opposition parties agreed to receive only the briefing without separate inquiries. However, some lawmakers at the scene protested, saying, "We cannot agree to the Administration and Safety Committee acting as a mere prop to the Yoon Seok-yeol government's policy of quietly mourning."

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