(LEAD) DP leader Lee labels gov’t ‘cold-blooded’ over anticipated rejection of Itaewon special bill

SEOUL, Main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung criticized the government Monday for its anticipated rejection of a special bill calling for a renewed investigation into the Itaewon crowd crush in 2022.

The main opposition Democratic Party (DP), which holds a controlling majority in the National Assembly, railroaded the special bill on Jan. 9, following the breakdown of negotiations with the ruling People Power Party (PPP).

“The government is expected to ultimately reject the Itaewon special bill,” said Rep. Lee, the chairman of the DP, during the party meeting, calling the administration “cold-blooded.”

The legislation aims to establish a special investigation committee to reexamine the tragedy that killed 159 people on a narrow back alley in the nightlife district of Itaewon on Oct. 29 during Halloween festivities.

The PPP and the government argue that the special bill is unfair, allowing the opposition bloc to fill a majority of the committee members with people favorable to the DP, and that the investiga
tion has already been conducted.

The legislation has been transferred to the government for deliberation.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will preside over a Cabinet meeting to discuss the bill and the government is likely to recommend President Yoon Suk Yeol exercise his veto power.

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

This would be the fifth time that Yoon has exercised his veto power.

Civic groups and families of the victims, meanwhile, have argued for the passage of the bill, demanding further investigation to find out the cause of the probe.

Source: Yonhap News Agency