DP, allies call for Assembly probe of Itaewon tragedy

The Democratic Party (DP) and two smaller parties asked for a parliamentary probe into the government's handling of the Itaewon crowd crush, which the conservative People Power Party (PPP) is calling politically motivated.

Rep. Lee Jeong-mi of the minor Justice Party speaks at a demonstration by lawmakers who support a parliamentary probe into the government's handling of the Itaewon crowd crush on the steps of the National Assembly in Yeouido, central Seoul, on Thursday afternoon. [YONHAP]

The Democratic Party (DP) and two smaller parties asked for a parliamentary probe into the government's handling of the Itaewon crowd crush, which the conservative People Power Party (PPP) is calling politically motivated.

Over 180 lawmakers from the liberal DP, which holds a majority of seats in the National Assembly, as well as the Justice Party and Basic Income Party submitted the formal request to the legislature’s Bills Division on Wednesday afternoon.

The parties said the probe should “identify the cause of the Itaewon disaster, including both the direct and indirect causes that led to the massive casualties, as well as those responsible.”

The wording of the request suggests that many government agencies will be probed including the presidential office, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Yongsan District Office, the National Police Agency, and National Fire Service.

The request alleges that the relocation of the presidential office from the Blue House to the Defense Ministry complex in Yongsan District, central Seoul strained local police resources and reduced the number of police officers available to manage crowds during Halloween festivities in the Itaewon area, which is located around one kilometer (0.6 miles) from the Defense Ministry compound.

The request also alleges that police had been diverted from other public safety duties on the night of the disaster because the administration had prioritized cracking down on illicit drugs.

The presidential office characterized the probe request as another attempt by the DP to politicize the tragedy.

“I think the public will be able to judge why [the DP] proposed this,” a senior presidential official told reporters Wednesday. “This tragedy should not be used for politics.”

The PPP has refused to participate in a parliamentary probe into the disaster, raising concerns that the disaster could become yet another factor dividing the country politically.

“We are not in a position to respond to the request for a parliamentary probe,” said PPP floor leader Joo Ho-young on Wednesday.

“A parliamentary investigation has no legal force and would only interfere with the [ongoing police] investigation and cause political strife,” he said, arguing that a parliamentary probe “should be conducted if there are shortcomings with ongoing probes.

“Since the current probe is proceeding smoothly, one cannot help but think there is an ulterior motive behind the proposal for a parliamentary probe.”

The DP has urged the PPP to participate in the parliamentary probe, and signaled it would push ahead regardless.

“We call on the [PPP] to participate, but if it continues to stonewall, we cannot help but follow the established legal procedures,” DP floor leader Park Hong-keun said. “We cannot just wait when the people and victims are demanding it.”

Park characterized the PPP’s refusal to sign on to a parliamentary probe the equivalent of “boycotting the people and the truth.”

After reporting the request’s submission to the National Assembly floor on Thursday, Speaker Kim Jin-pyo called on the parties to undertake negotiations regarding the specifics of a potential probe in accordance with the law and established procedure.

BY MICHAEL LEE [lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr]