SEOUL, The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a motion demanding the National Assembly reconsider a special bill mandating a new investigation into the Itaewon crowd crush in 2022.

President Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to endorse the Cabinet’s decision so as to exercise his veto power against the legislation that the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) railroaded through the National Assembly earlier this month.

Once Yoon endorses the Cabinet’s decision, the bill will be sent back to the National Assembly.

The legislation calls for establishing a special investigation committee to reexamine the causes of the deadly crowd crush that claimed 159 lives in a narrow alley in central Seoul’s Itaewon during Halloween weekend in 2022 and to ensure the rights of the victims.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said the legislation gives the special investigation committee too much power in a way that could potentially undermine constitutional principles and that fairness and neutrality cannot be guaranteed in the committee’s fo
rmation.

According to the law, the 11-member committee will consist of four members recommended each by both the ruling and opposition parties, along with three recommended by the parliamentary speaker in collaboration with the victim’s families.

“There is considerable concern that fairness and neutrality may be compromised in the process,” Han said while presiding over the meeting.

In response to calls for assistance for the victims and their families, Han assured that the government would strengthen both financial and mental support, which includes expanding the coverage of medical costs and attendance allowances.

Furthermore, the government will expedite compensation for victims’ families, regardless of the final outcomes of ongoing civil and criminal trials.

In addition, Han announced plans to proceed with the establishment of a memorial area.

According to the government’s plan, a committee will be formed under the Prime Minister’s Office to discuss support measures and maintain communication with t
he victims’ families.

The ruling People Power Party has opposed the bill, asserting that the special bill is unfair as it would allow the opposition bloc to dominate the committee with individuals favorable to the DP and arguing that a comprehensive investigation has already been conducted.

Civic groups, families of the victims and the DP have called for Yoon not to reject the bill, calling for a further investigation to uncover the root cause of the incident.

The DP again criticized Yoon’s anticipated endorsement of the Cabinet’s decision, arguing that exercising veto power without justification and proposing support measures without a thorough investigation is an insult to the victims’ families.

“The exercise of veto power without justification is turning the Republic of Korea into a country without accountability for disasters, without apologies and without efforts for truth-seeking,” said Rep. Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the DP, during a party meeting.

This would be the fifth time Yoon has exerc
ised his veto power, with a total of nine bills rejected.

Source: Yonhap News Agency