Democrats Reject Proposal for 'Ruling and Opposition Council' on Itaewon Disaster... "Not Appropriate to Work with Government at the Center of the Issue"

Promotion of National Audit Instead of Inter-Party Council
"Plan to Discuss with Jeonguidang Regarding National Audit"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] On the 3rd, the Democratic Party of Korea effectively rejected the ruling party's proposal to form a ruling-opposition-government consultative body to investigate the truth behind the 'Itaewon Halloween Day Disaster.' Instead, they insisted that the request for a state audit must be passed at the plenary session next week.

Lee Su-jin, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, said in a back briefing after the party's policy coordination meeting on the 3rd that regarding the ruling party's proposal to form a ruling-opposition-government consultative body, "It is not appropriate to form something together with the government, which stands at the center of all issues."

The spokesperson added, "The ruling party has only talked to the media and has not proposed anything to our party," and "Our party hopes that bipartisan countermeasure discussions will not be talked about only in the media but that the first step of discussion will be taken."

He then emphasized the necessity of a state audit. He said, "Today, Floor Leader Park Hong-geun mentioned the state audit for the first time, and naturally, we plan to discuss it with the Justice Party as well," adding, "I hope the People Power Party will cooperate too."

He continued, "It should be proceeded soon through discussions between senior officials," and explained, "Since there is a plenary session next week, it is necessary to proceed quickly with the discussions."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Floor Leader Park said at the policy coordination meeting that "It is now time to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to the National Assembly by the people," and "We will promptly submit a request for a state audit to investigate the truth of the Itaewon disaster and punish those responsible."

He also emphasized, "Since the ruling party is also advocating for a thorough investigation of the cause, there should be no reason to oppose the Itaewon disaster state audit," and stressed, "To ensure a swift state audit, the request for the state audit must be processed at next week's plenary session."

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