Woo Sang-ho "Only 21 Days Left for the Special Committee on National Audit... Will Adopt Main Investigation Schedule on the 19th"

"More than Half of the Activity Period Has Passed, Yet No Progress Made"

Woo Sang-ho, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Woo Sang-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and chairman of the special committee for the Itaewon disaster state audit, declared, "On the morning of the 19th, we will hold a full meeting of the special committee to adopt the main investigation schedule and witnesses."

Chairman Woo stated this during a press briefing held on the 18th at the Democratic Party floor leader's office in the National Assembly, saying, "We can no longer delay the Itaewon disaster state audit."

He said, "The Itaewon disaster state audit is the firm command of the people and the earnest wish of the bereaved families," adding, "We must get it up and running as soon as possible and fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to the National Assembly."

Chairman Woo said, "The special committee for the state audit was officially launched with the plenary session's approval on November 24 and was given a 45-day activity period," adding, "24 days have passed, and now only 21 days remain." He pointed out, "The special committee was scheduled to begin full-scale activities along with the budget bill's processing. However, it has missed the legal deadline, the regular session's end date on the 9th, and even the deadline suggested by the Speaker on the 15th. More than half of the activity period has passed, but no progress has been made."

He said, "While the special committee for the state audit has done nothing, those responsible seem to have forgotten the memory of the disaster and have even made outrageous remarks," adding, "No one is properly holding anyone accountable for the disaster, so they can act this way. They should be the first to feel ashamed, but the National Assembly, which fails to hold them accountable properly, should also be ashamed."

Floor leader Woo lamented, "While no one takes responsibility, a young survivor of the disaster six days ago voluntarily followed the friends who had left earlier," adding, "We live in a sad country that has failed to protect not only the victims of the disaster but also the survivors."

He said, "The longer the wait, the more the truth of the disaster will fade, and another tragedy may occur," adding, "I judge that we can no longer delay."

Accordingly, he said, "As chairman of the special committee for the state audit, I want to make a decision," adding, "If the National Assembly continues to be at a standstill like now, I think the state audit should proceed regardless of the National Assembly's schedule."

He then expressed his determination, saying, "I will definitely put those responsible for the disaster on the judgment stand of truth verification."

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