Hong Ik-pyo: "Yoon, Covering Up Wife's Crime and Blocking the Truth of the Disaster?"

Government Expected to Request Reconsideration of Itaewon Special Act
Opposition to Hold Emergency Press Conference to Criticize Yoon

Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, strongly criticized the possibility of President Yoon Seok-yeol exercising his veto power over the Itaewon Special Act, saying, "If the authority entrusted by the people is reduced to a means of covering up his wife's criminal allegations and even blocks the truth of the tragedy that caused casualties in the heart of Seoul, it will be a public declaration to the world that he lacks even the minimum humanity and morality."

At the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 30th, Floor Leader Hong stated, "President Yoon has effectively foreshadowed exercising his veto power over the Itaewon Special Act," and added, "Offering support measures for the bereaved families to avoid responsibility for exercising the veto is nothing but an insult to the families."

Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 30th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He also indicated a firm stance on renegotiating the Itaewon Special Act. He said, "The government claims that the formation of the Special Investigation Committee and other provisions are toxic clauses, but the bill passed by the National Assembly is a mediation proposal by the Speaker that sufficiently reflects the positions of the government and the ruling party," emphasizing, "The Democratic Party has repeatedly made concessions, excluding the special prosecutor from the law, postponing the enforcement of the bill until after the general election, and shortening the activity period of the Special Investigation Committee."

He continued, "An unjustified exercise of veto power is dragging South Korea into a country where no one takes responsibility for the tragedy, no one apologizes, and no efforts are made to uncover the truth," adding, "Since 26 foreigners were among the victims, the world is watching how South Korea handles this tragedy." He then pointedly asked, "If the special law is vetoed, will the country's prestige rise even if the president promotes our country overseas?"

He also criticized the government's planned support measures for the bereaved families as an alternative to exercising the veto. Floor Leader Hong said, "The bereaved families' prostration in the freezing cold was solely a plea for truth and responsibility," and added, "It is very regrettable that such heartfelt appeals are being ignored and replaced with money, showing a vulgar perception." He further accused, "The president contributed to the disgraceful claims by some conservative YouTubers that the families 'profit from their children'."

On the 29th, bereaved families, representatives of the four major religions, and citizens who visited the Itaewon Station disaster site in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, held a press conference before performing a full-body prostration to urge the enactment of the "10.29 Itaewon Disaster Truth Investigation Special Act." Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The government is expected to pass a resolution requesting reconsideration of the Itaewon Special Act at the Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on the morning of the same day. It is then anticipated that President Yoon will exercise his veto power.

The Democratic Party plans to label President Yoon's veto exercise as 'defiance of public sentiment' and launch an offensive if he proceeds. A Democratic Party official told Asia Economy in a phone interview on the same day, "The president is reigning above the people and the legislature," adding, "Only the people can stop the president's excessive use of veto power, but since he ignores the people and is going to exercise the veto again, there is no way. We are preparing an emergency press conference."

The Democratic Party is also considering linking the handling of the 'Double Special Prosecutor Act' involving First Lady Kim Keon-hee. While continuously reviewing whether President Yoon's veto of the Double Special Prosecutor Act falls under the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act and considering filing a constitutional review, they are also contemplating re-voting on the Itaewon Special Act together with it during the February extraordinary session of the National Assembly. This is interpreted as having expectations for 'rebel votes' from ruling party lawmakers who are eliminated during the general election nomination process.

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