This Time a 'Dochwal' Controversy... Itaewon National Assembly Investigation, Next Year's Disruption Expected

People Power Party "Yong Hye-in, Resign from the National Assembly Investigation Committee"
Yong Hye-in "Hidden camera order expression unfair... Typical conspiracy theory"

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] During the second institutional report of the National Assembly's 'Special Committee for the Investigation of the Yongsan Itaewon Disaster and Prevention of Recurrence (Special Investigation Committee),' friction arose between ruling and opposition committee members over Basic Income Party lawmaker Yong Hye-in's 'filming in the meeting room' controversy. The People Power Party is calling for Yong's resignation from the committee, labeling it as 'secret filming,' casting doubt on whether the investigation, scheduled to end on the 7th of next month, can be completed smoothly. In response, the Democratic Party has demanded an extension of the committee's term.

On the 30th, Jang Dong-hyuk, the People Power Party floor spokesperson, stated in a commentary, "Lawmaker Yong should stop making pitiful excuses, apologize to the public and the bereaved families, and resign from the investigation committee. Before uttering the political slogan of the people's basic income, I hope she at least acquires the minimum basic knowledge expected of a member of the National Assembly."

Institutional report at the Special Committee for the Truth Investigation and Prevention of Recurrence of the Itaewon Tragedy held at the National Assembly on the 29th (Photo by Yonhap News)

The incident occurred during the second institutional report session of the Special Investigation Committee held the previous day. People Power Party committee members Jeon Ju-hye and Cho Soo-jin claimed that Yong's aide, pretending to be a camera reporter, secretly filmed their private conversation right after the recess for dinner. Lee Man-hee, the ruling party secretary of the Special Investigation Committee, texted the press, saying, "A person instructed by lawmaker Yong was caught engaging in shocking acts such as illegally filming and recording conversations of our party members Jeon Ju-hye and Cho Soo-jin."

Yong refuted this as a 'conspiracy theory.' Through Facebook, she stated, "The aide in question remained in the room and was normally recording the committee proceedings while I was away. To describe this as if I had instructed secret filming of a specific situation with a particular intention is very unfair and a typical conspiracy theory." Yong was not present in the meeting room at the time of the incident.

The People Power Party plans to conduct a legal review. In a phone interview with Asia Economy, lawmaker Jeon explained, "The leadership said they are conducting a legal review related to this. The issue raised was why someone would film conversations among lawmakers after the recess when they were there in a personal capacity, not as media."

The problem is that the Special Investigation Committee is scheduled to conclude on the 7th of next month. The first and second hearings are scheduled for the 4th and 6th of next month, respectively. People Power Party committee members have clearly stated that they will not return until Yong resigns. However, they are open to returning after discussions with the floor leadership. On the same day, after the floor strategy meeting, People Power Party floor leader Joo Ho-young told reporters, "We need to hear the opinions of the investigation committee members," but added, "Since the national investigation has already started, I think it would be desirable to complete it properly."

In this situation, the Democratic Party requested an extension, saying normal committee activities are impossible. At the highest-level meeting that day, Democratic Party floor leader Park Hong-geun emphasized, "With the second institutional report also disrupted, it is impossible to hold the third hearing and adopt the report on the public hearing results for prevention measures within the remaining schedule, so an extension is inevitable. The People Power Party bears significant responsibility for the delay and disruption, so I hope they cooperate unconditionally with the extension of the deadline." However, the People Power Party has shown a negative stance toward extending the investigation. Floor leader Joo said, "We need to conduct a proper investigation until January 7th and then the public must be convinced of what is lacking and why an extension is necessary before any discussion can take place. Originally, the ruling and opposition parties agreed to set the investigation period after the budget agreement," drawing a clear line.

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