Presidential Office's First National Audit... Tension from the Start over Terminology of the Disaster

Opposition Points Out 'Presidential Office Problem Awareness'... Ruling Party Says "Why Make Even Terminology a Controversial Target?"

Kim Dae-gi, Chief of Staff to the President, is attending the National Assembly's audit on the Presidential Secretariat held on the 8th, providing a work report. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Baek Kyunghwan and Oh Juyeon] The first National Assembly Steering Committee hearing on the presidential office since the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration was held on the 8th, and from the beginning, there was a tense exchange over the choice of terminology referring to the 'Itaewon Disaster.' When the Democratic Party of Korea pointed out the presidential office's problematic perception regarding whether it was an accident or a disaster, and whether the victims were deceased or casualties, the People Power Party responded, saying, "We cannot understand the mentality that turns even terminology into a political dispute."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-joo raised an issue with the phrase "follow-up measures for the Itaewon accident" in the presidential office's briefing report during the National Assembly inspection of the Presidential Secretariat and the National Security Office. Kim said, "It is referred to as an accident, not a disaster," and criticized, "The presidential office still perceives the Itaewon disaster as an accident." He added, "They expressed the victims as casualties or deceased, not as victims," and criticized, "Although the name of the memorial altar was changed to 'Victims' Memorial Altar,' the presidential office's complacent perception is a serious problem and an insult to the victims."

The People Power Party immediately pushed back. Lawmaker Cho Eun-hee sharply retorted, "We cannot understand the mentality that turns even terminology into a political dispute." Cho said, "Even Lee Jae-myung, the party leader, said 'We should do our best to manage the accident,' and Ko Min-jung, the Supreme Council member, and Shin Hyun-young, a lawmaker, all used the term 'accident.' I am concerned that terminology is being used as a political dispute."

The Democratic Party continued to hold President Yoon accountable. During the national mourning period, which ended on the 5th, President Yoon visited the memorial altar daily and on the previous day (the 7th), at the 'National Safety System Inspection Meeting' held at the Yongsan Presidential Office, he apologized again, saying, "I am sorry and regretful to the bereaved families who faced an unspeakable tragedy and to the people who share the pain and sorrow." However, the Democratic Party maintained its stance that "there should be a public apology statement, a formal address, or a press conference."

Chief Presidential Secretary Kim Dae-gi conveyed President Yoon Suk-yeol's apology and sense of responsibility during the briefing. Kim said, "As the president has already expressed his deep sorrow and apology several times, the secretariat shares the same sentiment and will devote all efforts to ensure that such a tragedy never recurs," adding, "The government will carry out responsible handling and thorough fact-finding, transparently disclose the process, and strictly hold accountable according to the results."

Originally, the National Assembly had scheduled a hearing on the presidential office on the 3rd, but postponed it to cooperate with the recovery efforts following the 'Itaewon Disaster.' In the afternoon session, issues such as the 'Itaewon Disaster,' the prosecution investigation surrounding Democratic Party figures, and the 'judicial risks' related to party leader Lee Jae-myung are expected to be highlighted. Additionally, the government's stance and response to the recent intensification of North Korea's missile provocations are also expected to be addressed.

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