Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Again Over 'Itaewon Special Act'... Yoon Weighs Veto

The Democratic Party proposes veto use... "There are problematic toxic clauses"
The opposition refuses renegotiation... Lee Jae-myung "Are they only focusing on veto"
Yoon's veto would be the 5th... Concerns over negative public sentiment impact

The ruling and opposition parties clashed again over whether President Yoon Seok-yeol will exercise his right to request reconsideration (veto) on the so-called 'Itaewon Special Act.' Although the presidential office has shown a negative stance toward the bill, it is deeply concerned. Since the beginning of the year, President Yoon has faced criticism for exercising his veto on the 'Double Special Prosecutor Act,' being accused of 'family shielding.' If he requests reconsideration on the Itaewon Special Act as well, it is expected to have a negative impact ahead of the general election.

The Itaewon Special Act is scheduled to be sent to the Legislation Office as soon as related procedures, including the Speaker of the National Assembly's approval on the 19th, are completed. Afterward, if the Cabinet approves the reconsideration request, President Yoon Seok-yeol must make a decision on whether to approve it, i.e., exercise his veto.

At the emergency action rally urging the enactment of the Itaewon Disaster Special Act held on the 18th in front of the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, the bereaved families are shedding tears while watching a head-shaving ceremony. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

The People Power Party held a party meeting the day before and decided to recommend that President Yoon exercise his veto. Their position is that the parliamentary process of the Itaewon Special Act was a 'legislative rampage' by the opposition party and a 'forced passage' aimed at influencing the general election. In particular, they argued that the requirements for forming the Special Investigation Committee cannot guarantee fairness and proposed renegotiations with the Democratic Party. They suggested removing the 'poisonous clause' that allows the Special Investigation Committee to access records of cases that were dismissed or investigations that were stopped and renegotiating.

However, the Democratic Party rejected the ruling party's proposal, calling it a 'wordplay.' They stated that although they had made several concessions during negotiations over the Speaker's mediation proposal, the People Power Party did not agree.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "It seems President Yoon will exercise his veto on the Itaewon Special Act," and protested, "What else is this government doing besides vetoing? Instead of vetoing, they should present what they will do."

On the 9th, the plenary session held at the National Assembly passed the "Special Act on Guaranteeing the Rights of Victims of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster, Fact-Finding, and Prevention of Recurrence." Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Despite the opposition's backlash, the presidential office maintains a strong negative sentiment toward the Itaewon Special Act. A presidential office official stated, "There are clear problems with the bill," and added, "This is a matter to be judged according to law and principles, and we plan to comprehensively analyze the opinions of related ministries."

However, the difference from previous cases such as the Grain Management Act, on which President Yoon exercised his veto, is a variable. Since both the ruling and opposition parties shared a common recognition of the Itaewon incident as a 'national disaster' when they began discussing the Itaewon Special Act, exercising the veto could go against public sentiment. The accumulating 'vetoes' are also a considerable burden. Since taking office, President Yoon has exercised his veto four times on eight bills, including the 'Double Special Prosecutor Act.'

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