Itaewon Disaster Special Committee Held Solely by Opposition... "Three Hearings Next Month"

Woo Sang-ho, the chairman of the special committee for the national investigation into the Itaewon disaster, is presiding over the full meeting of the special committee at the National Assembly on the 19th. On this day, all members of the People Power Party's special committee were absent. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] The special committee for the state investigation into the Itaewon disaster was held solely by the opposition party, with the ruling party absent. The state investigation special committee, held exclusively by the opposition, finalized the schedule for the hearings.

On the 19th, the special committee held a plenary meeting with only members from the Democratic Party, the Justice Party, and the Basic Income Party present, as members from the People Power Party were absent. The committee confirmed the schedule for on-site investigations on the 21st and 23rd, agency reports on the 27th and 29th, and hearings on the 2nd, 4th, and 6th of the following month. Additionally, the committee approved agency witnesses and experts for the investigation.

The schedule and agency witnesses were reportedly prepared based on a framework of discussions between the ruling and opposition parties. Woo Sang-ho, a Democratic Party member and chair of the special committee, stated, "Although not agreed upon, it is desirable to handle matters by respecting the content continuously discussed between the ruling and opposition parties." This suggests that the schedule and witness issues were prepared based on mutual understanding between the parties.

Regarding witnesses, Democratic Party member Yoon Gun-young and Justice Party member Jang Hye-young argued that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo should be included. Kim Kyo-heung, the Democratic Party’s secretary for the special committee, said, "The adoption of Prime Minister Han as a witness will be discussed through consultations between the ruling and opposition parties."

There were also criticisms concerning the shortened activity period of the special committee due to agreements such as starting the investigation after budget approval, as well as issues related to scheduling coordination and document submission. Regarding the extension of the committee’s activity period, Chair Woo said, "We will, in principle, adhere to the schedule passed by the plenary session," but added, "Consultations between the leadership of both parties and the secretaries of the ruling and opposition parties are necessary."

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