Ruling and Opposition Parties Predict Clash Over Re-amendment of Complete Inspection Ban and National Audit Investigation

End of National Mourning Period
Intense Weekend Battle Expected

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon, Lee Hyun-joo, Park Joon-i, Kwon Hyun-ji] On the day before the end of the national mourning period for the ‘Itaewon tragedy,’ the ruling and opposition parties clashed head-on over the issue of a parliamentary investigation. During the condolence period, both parties had focused solely on managing the situation and mourning, avoiding political disputes over accountability, but the ruling party rejected the opposition’s demand for a parliamentary investigation.

On the 4th, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated at the floor strategy meeting, "Now is not the time for a parliamentary investigation." He said, "At this moment, the most important thing is to secure and preserve evidence through swift compulsory investigation. Conducting a parliamentary investigation without compulsory measures would only hinder the investigation and blur the issues." After the meeting, he also told reporters, "Parliamentary investigations lack compulsory measures and are likely to turn into disputes. However, I expect that if there are shortcomings after the compulsory investigation, a parliamentary investigation may be conducted."

Currently, the Police Agency’s Special Investigation Headquarters has initiated the first compulsory investigation into the causes and responsibility of the Itaewon tragedy. However, the Democratic Party strongly insists on the necessity of a parliamentary investigation, arguing that institutions related to the tragedy, including the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and Yongsan Police Station, are involved, and leaving the investigation to the police amounts to a ‘self-investigation.’

Despite opposition from the People Power Party, the Democratic Party plans to submit a request for a parliamentary investigation next week. Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party, announced at the Supreme Council meeting, "We will submit the request for a parliamentary investigation to uncover the truth of the Itaewon tragedy and punish those responsible early next week." Earlier that day, Park also reaffirmed cooperation for the parliamentary investigation during a meeting with the Justice Party’s floor leader group.

To submit a request for a parliamentary investigation, consent from at least one-quarter of the total members (299 members) is required. Since securing support from more than 75 members is sufficient, the Democratic Party alone can submit the request. However, as parliamentary investigation special committees are usually formed through negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties and require approval by the plenary session, the actual likelihood of success remains uncertain. In the 20th National Assembly, although 17 requests for parliamentary investigations were made, only two?on humidifier disinfectant truth-finding and the state power abuse scandal?were actually conducted.

On the contrary, the People Power Party has demanded further revisions to the Prosecutors’ Office Act and the Criminal Procedure Act, which are part of the ‘complete removal of prosecution’s investigative authority’ (검수완박, Geomsu Wanbak) law. They argue that due to the ‘Geomsu Wanbak law’ forcibly passed by the Democratic Party, large-scale tragedies like the Itaewon incident are excluded from areas where prosecutors can directly initiate investigations.

On this day, Joo Ho-young told reporters, "The Democratic Party has created a situation where cases with multiple casualties must be investigated by the police." He added, "The problems of the ‘Geomsu Wanbak law’ are becoming apparent. Fundamentally, there is a perception that the law itself is unreasonable and flawed." Regarding the possibility of revising the ‘Geomsu Wanbak law,’ he said, "There are opinions to revert it to the original state, so we will make a comprehensive judgment."

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