President Yoon Approves Veto of Itaewon Special Act... Strives to Minimize Aftermath Impact

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President Yoon Suk-yeol exercised his veto power on the "Special Act for the Protection of Rights of Victims, Fact-Finding, and Prevention of Recurrence of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster (Itaewon Special Act)" on the 30th.

The Presidential Office spokesperson announced in a press release that President Yoon approved the veto of the Itaewon Special Act, which was passed at the Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo that morning.

The government believes that establishing a special investigation committee without clear grounds related to issues 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 stopped, it was judged that exercising the veto was inevitable as it violates the Constitution.

Additionally, the composition itself (4 members recommended by the ruling party, 4 by the opposition, and 3 by the Speaker of the National Assembly) is likely to be biased toward the opposition, which was pointed out as a concern.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

By exercising the veto about 70 days before the general election, President Yoon has taken on considerable political burden.

First, the bereaved families of the disaster victims had performed a full-body prostration from Itaewon Station to the Yongsan Presidential Office the day before, urging the promulgation of the Itaewon Special Act. On this day as well, the families strongly opposed by visiting the Government Seoul Office where the Cabinet meeting was held to protest.

President Yoon’s frequent use of veto power is also a burden. Since his inauguration, President Yoon has exercised veto power a total of 9 times across 5 occasions, second only to former President Syngman Rhee (45 times).

President Yoon began exercising veto power with the amendment to the Grain Management Act (April last year), followed by the enactment of the Nursing Act (May last year), the "Yellow Envelope Act" (Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act) and the "Broadcasting 3 Acts" (amendments to the Broadcasting Act, Broadcasting Culture Promotion Act, and Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act) in December last year.

This year, on the 5th, he returned the so-called "Double Special Prosecutor Acts" (Special Prosecutor Act on allegations of stock manipulation by Mrs. Kim Geon-hee and Special Prosecutor Act on allegations of preferential treatment in Daejang-dong) to the National Assembly.

Although the government rejected the Itaewon Special Act due to problematic provisions, it has moved to mitigate the backlash by expanding support.

The government announced on this day that it would expand support funds, medical expenses, and nursing care costs to stabilize the lives of victims of the Itaewon disaster. Even while civil and criminal trials are ongoing, compensation and necessary support will be provided promptly before the final verdict is confirmed by the Supreme Court.

For workers who suffered physical and mental damage from the Itaewon disaster, the government will support healing leave and operate various psychological stabilization programs to help victims recover their daily lives. In consultation with local governments and bereaved families, a memorial facility for the victims will also be constructed.

As a support organization, a "10.29 Disaster Victim Support Committee (tentative name)" will be formed under the Prime Minister. In addition, the government plans to prepare economic revitalization measures centered on the Itaewon area and support community recovery, including support measures for those harmed during rescue and recovery activities.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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