With "Moon Government Only Expanding Police Powers to Cover Up Corruption"... Neglecting Protection of People's Lives and Safety

"Revealed the Incompetence and Limitations of Police Leadership"
Some Political Police Closely Aligned with the Previous Administration
Have Neglected the Police's Fundamental Duties

Police Chief Yoon Hee-geun bowed his head before the emergency briefing on the Itaewon disaster held at the National Assembly on the 1st. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Hyunji Kwon] On the 3rd, members of the People Power Party's Public Administration and Security Committee issued a condolence statement regarding the Itaewon tragedy, criticizing the inadequate response of the police and local governments at the time of the accident and condemning the police leadership. They argued that the ruling Democratic Party, which pushed through the 'Geomsu Wanbak (Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Rights)' law, bears significant responsibility for the police forming a special inspection team to investigate the police.

In the statement, the committee members said, "The Yongsan Police Chief, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Situation Manager, and other police leadership, as well as the Yongsan District Mayor and local governments, showed complacency and incompetence by failing to establish any prior safety measures, citing the reason that it was a voluntary gathering without an organizer. Above all, the police leadership's incompetence and limitations were clearly revealed." They emphasized, "We cannot help but be shocked by such behavior and will demand a thorough investigation and hold those responsible accountable."

They continued, "Furthermore, during the previous administration, under the guise of adjusting investigative authority between the police and prosecution, the 'Geomsu Wanbak' legislation was pushed through with the intent to cover up the regime's corruption. The focus on expanding police authority and the behavior of some political police closely aligned with the previous administration have inevitably led to neglecting the police's fundamental mission to protect the lives and safety of the people, raising strong suspicions."

Lee Man-hee, the ruling party's secretary of the Public Administration and Security Committee, said in a meeting with reporters after the statement release, "Who was it that took away the prosecution's investigation rights in the case of a major accident? Didn't they create the entire investigation structure with their own hands? Then should the National Assembly investigate?" He added, "They know very well. From that perspective, the very notion of self-investigation is truly shameless."

Regarding the Democratic Party, he criticized, "Even before the mourning period has ended, they are submitting a 'request for a state audit,' focusing only on political strife rather than resolving the situation. We cannot help but ask who created the current situation and whether they have completely forgotten about Geomsu Wanbak."

Members of the People Power Party's Public Administration and Security Committee also demanded full investigative cooperation from the Yongsan District Office to determine the cause of the accident and prevent recurrence.

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