Ruling Party: "Exploiting Tragedy for Political Conflict" vs Opposition: "State Audit and Punishment for Those Involved" ... Political Clash Over Memorial Rally

Allegation of Democratic Party Organizing Mobilization for "President Resignation Candlelight Rally"
Opposition: "Citizen Group's Independent Memorial Event, No Official Party Participation" Rebuttal

The 'Itaewon Tragedy Victims Memorial Candlelight Vigil' is being held on the road near Seoul Plaza on the 5th. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] At the memorial rally for the Itaewon tragedy held on the last day of the national mourning period on the 5th, chants calling for President Yoon Seok-yeol's resignation were heard. Meanwhile, some held rallies urging not to politicize the tragedy. The political sphere is also engaged in disputes over the rallies held that day.

At the 'Candlelight Victory Transition Action' memorial rally held around City Hall Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, government responsibility was raised. Participants held placards with messages such as "Yoon Seok-yeol step down" and "Resignation is memorial." The organizers claimed at the rally that "an irresponsible government caused the tragedy." The organizers estimated about 50,000 attendees, while the police estimated about 9,000.

A conservative civic group held a rally near Samgakji Station in Yongsan-gu on the same day. The organizers pointed out, "In a situation where all kinds of agitation are underway, we need to show what true mourning is." A banner reading "Do not politicize" was displayed at the rally site.

The political sphere is also engaged in disputes over the Itaewon tragedy rallies. The People Power Party criticized the candlelight rally organizers, saying it was "not true mourning." Senior spokesperson Yang Geum-hee said in a statement that day, "It is shocking and deplorable that even the people's grief and tragedy are being used for political strife and rallies calling for the government's resignation," adding, "There are reports in the media that the Democratic Party organized personnel for the weekend presidential resignation candlelight rallies."

In response, Representative Yoo Ki-hong, head of the Democratic Party's National Memorial Team, held a press conference that day and drew a line, saying, "Reports that the party systematically mobilized personnel for weekend rallies are completely untrue. It was an independent memorial cultural event by civic groups, and the party did not officially participate."

Following the Democratic Party's explanation, on the 7th, the People Power Party launched a fierce attack, calling it a "party specialized in government resignation movements." Emergency Committee Chairman Jeong Jin-seok criticized at the emergency committee meeting that morning, "Is the Democratic Party a party specialized in government resignation movements? The Democratic Party, which mobilized party organizations and buses in large numbers to oust President Yoon Seok-yeol, who has barely started his term, must apologize to the people. The Democratic Party, which intends to remove the president chosen by the people's precious votes within five months of his term, is treating the people like fools."

He also criticized, "On the evening of October 29, when the Itaewon accident occurred, a rally demanding the government's resignation was held in Gwanghwamun. According to media reports, the group 'Isimminsimi' involved in this rally mobilized up to 81 buses. The Democratic Party chartered buses nationwide to mobilize participants. The Seoul Metropolitan Police riot squad was fully deployed to maintain order, and that night the Itaewon tragedy occurred."

The Democratic Party is launching a full-scale offensive against the People Power Party, holding it responsible for the Itaewon tragedy. On the 6th, the day after the national mourning period ended, the 'Democratic Party Yongsan Itaewon Tragedy Countermeasures Headquarters' held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "It is being revealed through media reports and fact-finding investigations that neither the president, central government, local governments, nor the police can be free from responsibility for the tragedy," and argued, "A national audit is inevitable for an objective and thorough investigation of the causes."

They also called for an official apology from President Yoon Seok-yeol, the dismissal of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and the removal of Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min and National Police Agency Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun. Park Chan-dae, head of the countermeasures headquarters and a member of the National Assembly, responded to reporters' questions about whether President Yoon had already apologized (at a religious event), saying, "There should be a public apology statement, a press conference, or a formal apology to the nation."

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