DP leader Lee labels gov't 'cold-blooded' over anticipated rejection of Itaewon special bill

▲ Main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly on Jan. 29, 2024. (Yonhap)

DP leader-Itaewon bill

DP leader Lee labels gov't 'cold-blooded' over anticipated rejection of Itaewon special bill

By Kim Han-joo

SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Yonhap) -- 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).

However, the Cabinet is set to hold a meeting Tuesday to pass a motion demanding the National Assembly reconsider the bill. President Yoon Suk Yeol is then expected to endorse the Cabinet's decision to exercise his veto power.

"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.

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

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 investigation has already been conducted.

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.

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