Opposition Urges Enactment of 'Itaewon Special Act'... 3-Hour March Today (Comprehensive)

Seoul Plaza Memorial Altar ~ March to the National Assembly
Lee Jae-myung Visits Bereaved Families' Hunger Strike Site

On the 28th, the Democratic Party of Korea took to the streets along with the Justice Party, the Bereaved Families Council, and others to urge the enactment of the 'Itaewon Disaster Truth-finding Special Act.'

On the same day, Nam In-soon, head of the Democratic Party's Itaewon Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters, stated at a press conference held in front of the Seoul Plaza memorial altar in Jung-gu, Seoul, "The Democratic Party has resolved at the party meeting that this law will be designated as a fast-track bill at the plenary session on the 30th."

Families of the Itaewon disaster victims and citizens are marching to the National Assembly on the 14th in front of Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, urging the passage of the Itaewon Disaster Special Act. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

He said, "The government denies the necessity of a special law to uncover the truth about the Itaewon disaster, the People Power Party has not provided any explanation, and they are not even meeting with the bereaved families. In this situation, I must say that the law had to be designated as a fast-track bill to ensure proper discussion in the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee." He added, "I believe that enacting this law will help wipe away the tears of the bereaved families," and emphasized, "We will respond jointly with the four opposition parties to ensure the fast-track designation at the plenary session on the 30th."

The street march included participants from the Democratic Party, the Justice Party, the Basic Income Party, the Progressive Party, the 10·29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Council, and the 10·29 Itaewon Disaster Citizens' Countermeasures Committee.

Justice Party lawmaker Jang Hye-young said, "I came with the feeling of stacking stone towers," criticizing, "Even after more than 240 days, none of the truth-finding, punishment, or support has been properly addressed." She added, "I will do my best to ensure that today's march leads to the fast-track passage and enactment of the bill before the first anniversary at the plenary session this Friday."

Song Jin-young, acting representative of the Bereaved Families Council, stated, "Even if this law passes, our children will not come back. This law is to prevent future incidents like the Itaewon disaster and the Sewol ferry disaster," emphasizing, "There can be no ruling or opposition party when it comes to laws for the safety and lives of the people, and there should be no political gains or losses."

The Democratic Party marched for about three hours from 10:29 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., demanding the prompt passage of the 'Itaewon Special Act' from the Seoul Plaza memorial altar to the National Assembly. The march started at the same numbers as the date of the Itaewon disaster (October 29) to add significance. Representative Lee Jae-myung is also scheduled to visit the hunger strike site in front of the National Assembly in the afternoon to meet with the bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster.

The Democratic Party plans to designate the Itaewon Special Act as a fast-track bill at the National Assembly plenary session on the 30th.

Earlier, on the 26th, Park Kwang-on, the Democratic Party floor leader, announced on social media, "Together with the Justice Party, Basic Income Party, and Progressive Party, who share the intention to propose the special law, we will designate the Itaewon Disaster Special Act as a fast-track bill at the plenary session on the 30th."

Floor leader Park said, "People who have lost their children and had their families taken away are conducting signature campaigns, holding memorial rallies, relay marches, and even hunger strikes. Politics is infinitely shameful in the face of this tragic reality," adding, "Politics must do what it is supposed to do: save lives and ensure that no one suffers injustice."

Democratic Party Supreme Council member Seo Young-kyo also appeared on YTN Radio that morning, saying, "The Itaewon Special Act must be passed on the 30th." She emphasized, "The Itaewon Special Act requests the ability to demand materials and hold hearings for truth-finding," and added, "This content should naturally be brought to the plenary session and passed with the agreement of both ruling and opposition parties."

Meanwhile, the Itaewon Special Act includes provisions such as the formation of a special investigation committee for independent truth-finding and the ability to request the National Assembly's approval for appointing a special prosecutor if a special prosecutor investigation is necessary. The bereaved families plan to visit the plenary session on the 30th to directly observe the fast-track designation voting process.

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