PPP lawmakers to rejoin probe after meeting Itaewon victims' families

People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Joo Ho-young said Tuesday that PPP lawmakers will rejoin the parliamentary probe into the Itaewon tragedy starting Wednesday after a meeting with victims' families.

People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Joo Ho-young, left, tries to comfort Lee Jong-cheol, head of an association of families of victims of the Itaewon disaster, at the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Tuesday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Joo Ho-young said Tuesday that PPP lawmakers will rejoin the parliamentary probe into the Itaewon tragedy starting Wednesday after a meeting with victims' families.

Earlier Tuesday afternoon, Joo and PPP lawmakers met with around 10 members of the association of the families of victims of the Itaewon disaster for the first time Tuesday afternoon at the National Assembly. Joo promised them compensation and measures to prevent the recurrence of a similar tragedy in the future.

The association of victims' families in turn asked the PPP to return to a parliamentary probe as soon as possible and vented their grievances over the squabbling in the National Assembly bleeding over to the investigation into the tragedy.

The meeting comes after the PPP earlier this month stepped away from a parliamentary probe into the Itaewon tragedy amid a spat with the Democratic Party (DP) over a unilateral motion to remove Interior Minister Lee Sang-min earlier this month.

"Whether it be through a [police investigation], parliamentary probe or, if needed, a special probe, we will reveal the truth, thoroughly hold those responsible accountable, make compensations and carefully come up with measures to prevent a recurrence, and also remember this for a long time," said Joo at the beginning of the meeting. He apologized for not having an opportunity to meet with them sooner.

"What does the budget bill and the motion to dismiss Minister Lee Sang-min have to do with the parliamentary probe into the Itaewon disaster?" asked Lee Jong-cheol, the head the association. "Are the victims a tool for negotiations?"

He is the father of actor Lee Ji-han, a 24-year-old victim of the tragedy on Oct. 29 which killed 158 people.

"Please return to the parliamentary probe, tomorrow if possible," said Lee. "I beg this of you."

Lee expressed his grief that Joo didn't come pay respects at a makeshift memorial for the victims set up near the site of the tragedy. He said that the victims still do not have a proper memorial, despite their requests for one. He also aired his grievances at PPP members' insensitive remarks toward the victims, reopening wounds for the families.

Kim Mi-na, a PPP representative in the Changwon City Council, drew widespread backlash earlier this month after posting on Facebook about the victims: "They didn't die saving the country, did they?"

Lee and other members of the group shed tears throughout the meeting. Joo hugged Lee at one point and tried to offer words of solace.

This comes as the DP and two other minor liberal parties Monday pushed forward with the probe without the PPP.

The three liberal parties agreed to allow two days of on-site inspections by police and officials from the Seoul city government, Yongsan District Office and Interior Ministry this week and to hold hearings with them through early January.

In late November, the PPP agreed to take part in the parliamentary probe into the Itaewon disaster. However, on Dec. 11, the DP-controlled National Assembly passed a no-confidence motion against Interior Minister Lee, accusing him for negligence that led to the fatal crowd crush. The PPP boycotted the vote and in turn withdrew its support for the parliamentary probe into the disaster.

All seven PPP lawmakers assigned to the 18-member parliamentary investigation committee had resigned, leaving behind nine DP and two independent lawmakers.

The rival parties have also been in a deadlock on the budget bill for next year, which passed the legal deadline of Dec. 2.

After the meeting, Joo announced that PPP lawmakers withdrew their resignations and will join in the first on-site investigation scheduled for Wednesday.

"I recommended that they withdraw their resignations and encouraged them to participate in the parliamentary probe," Joo told reporters. "I believe that the parliamentary investigation committee will accept this."

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]