Yoon Rejects Itaewon Special Act Today... Government Says "Many Toxic Clauses, Concern Over National Division"

Resolution on Veto Recommendation for Itaewon Special Act Adopted at Cabinet Meeting Chaired by Korean Prime Minister

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol plans to exercise his right to request a reconsideration (veto) on October 30 regarding the "Special Act on Guaranteeing the Rights of Victims of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster, Fact-Finding, and Prevention of Recurrence (Itaewon Special Act)." This decision comes amid concerns that the act contains 'poisonous clauses,' such as the establishment of a special investigation committee with search and seizure authority and the holding of hearings, which could cause public division due to issues of fairness. However, the government has introduced various support measures for the victims and their families to mitigate backlash.

At the cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in the morning, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo presided over the resolution recommending the veto of the Itaewon Special Act. President Yoon is also expected to exercise the veto after the public livelihood discussion forum. If President Yoon requests reconsideration this time as well, the number of bills vetoed during his term will increase to five occasions, totaling nine bills.

The government believes that establishing a special investigation committee without clear grounds related to problems in the prosecution and police investigations would consume national administrative power and resources and deepen public division and distrust. In particular, since the special investigation committee can conduct searches and seizures and review records of cases that were not prosecuted or investigations that were suspended, it is deemed unconstitutional, making the exercise of the veto unavoidable. Additionally, the composition of the committee (four members recommended by the ruling party, four by the opposition, and three by the Speaker of the National Assembly) is likely to be biased toward the opposition, raising concerns about partiality.

However, the government and the presidential office explained that since this was a large-scale disaster claiming 159 lives and the bereaved families are still suffering, they have devised a solution by proposing separate compensation and support measures. Furthermore, it is known that the presidential office and government are considering not appealing if the bereaved families lose the first trial of the state compensation claim filed last year and instead proceed with compensation. Prime Minister Han promised, "We will promptly establish the 'October 29 Disaster Victim Support Committee' and swiftly prepare substantial support measures."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Democratic Party of Korea, which led the passage of the Itaewon Special Act in the National Assembly, has defined the exercise of the veto as 'defying public sentiment' and plans to launch an offensive. 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. There is no way since he is exercising the veto again. We are preparing an emergency press conference," expressing strong opposition.

If the Itaewon Special Act returns to the National Assembly, renegotiations between the ruling and opposition parties will be essential. This is because for a bill subject to the president's request for reconsideration to pass, a majority of the total members must be present, and two-thirds or more of the attending members must approve it. From the Democratic Party's perspective, it is realistic to create a revised bill through coordination with the ruling party. However, since the ruling and opposition parties hold parallel positions on the Itaewon Special Act, it is uncertain whether negotiations will be successful.

The Democratic Party is also considering linking the handling of the Itaewon Special Act with the "Double Special Investigation Act" related to First Lady Kim Keon-hee. While continuously reviewing whether President Yoon's veto of the Double Special Investigation Act constitutes a conflict of interest law violation or grounds for a constitutional dispute adjudication, they are also considering the option of re-voting on both the Itaewon Special Act and the Double Special Investigation Act during the February extraordinary session of the National Assembly. This is interpreted as reflecting expectations for 'rebel votes' from ruling party lawmakers who were excluded during the general election nomination process.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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