Opposition "Request for Plenary Session Tomorrow"... Last-Minute 'Pain' Over Itaewon National Investigation Extension

Disagreement Over Witness Adoption for 3rd Hearing
Ruling and Opposition Floor Leaders to Finalize Coordination Today

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] With just two days left until the deadline for the conclusion of the national investigation into the Itaewon disaster, the ruling and opposition parties continue to engage in a power struggle over the extension of the period. The Democratic Party of Korea warned that if the ruling party does not agree to extend the period by the morning of the 5th, they will request the Speaker of the National Assembly to convene a plenary session on the 6th. Although the ruling party also agrees to the extension, final negotiations are facing difficulties as the two sides show disagreements over issues such as the adoption of witnesses.

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at the party's policy coordination meeting that "To extend the period of the national investigation, a plenary session of the National Assembly must be held by tomorrow. If the People Power Party does not cooperate with the extension by this morning, the Democratic Party will officially request the Speaker of the National Assembly to convene a plenary session tomorrow afternoon." This means that if no agreement is reached between the ruling and opposition parties, the Democratic Party intends to hold a plenary session alone on the 6th to extend the investigation period.

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The special committee for the Itaewon disaster investigation is scheduled to conclude after a total of 45 days on the 7th. Since the extension of the special committee's activity period requires a plenary session resolution, the session must be convened by that day or at the latest by the 6th. Because the committee's end date falls on a Saturday and it takes time to prepare a new plan and submit it to the plenary session for approval, the Democratic Party's position is that an agreement between the ruling and opposition parties must be reached by the 5th for the extension to be possible at the plenary session on the 6th. Floor leader Park said, "Tomorrow, the national investigation period will effectively end," and criticized, "If the ruling party refuses (the extension) over the issue of adopting witnesses for the third round, it can only be seen as a lack of genuine interest in uncovering the truth of the disaster and punishing those responsible, and merely a pretense."

Currently, both ruling and opposition parties have reached a consensus that an extension is necessary to proceed with the third hearing focused on bereaved families and survivors at the scene, expert public hearings, and the adoption of the final report. However, they differ on issues such as the adoption of witnesses for the national investigation and the length of the extension period. In particular, the ruling and opposition parties are sharply divided over the adoption of Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Hyun-young as a witness, related to the controversy over her boarding the "Doctor Car" during the disaster.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the party's emergency committee meeting that "We acknowledge the need to extend the national investigation period," but added that they can only agree to the extension if Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Hyun-young, who was involved in the 'Doctor Car boarding' controversy during the disaster, and personnel related to the DMAT (Disaster Medical Assistance Team) at Myongji Hospital are adopted as witnesses for the third hearing.

Floor leader Joo pointed out, "Regarding the third hearing, the Democratic Party opposes the adoption of Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Hyun-young and Myongji Hospital officials," and criticized, "In emergency disasters, the so-called golden time and dispatch issues are important, but the fact that not a single person related to their own party is adopted as a witness is inconsistent with the purpose the Democratic Party has pursued so far."

On this day, the floor leaders of both parties plan to continue last-minute negotiations. After the emergency committee meeting, Floor leader Joo told reporters, "Because time is urgent, we have no choice but to approve it at a plenary session either today or tomorrow," and explained, "We will extend first, but there remains uncertainty as the special committee will have to set the schedule again within that period."

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