Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said he would swiftly pass an amendment to the special act on the deadly crowd crush in the nightlife district of Itaewon to mark the third anniversary, including measures to prevent secondary victimization, the establishment of a trauma center, and suspension of the statute of limitations for prosecution and disciplinary actions related to the disaster.
On the 29th, at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Jung said, "Today marks three years since the deadly crowd crush in the nightlife district of Itaewon," adding, "I send my heartfelt condolences to the victims, and my sincere words of comfort to the bereaved families who have worked to uncover the truth amid pain."
Jung said the responsibility for the disaster lay with the government's inadequate response. Jung said, "In the recent joint audit by the government, it became clear that the cause of the disaster lay in the government's poor preparedness and inadequate post-incident response. Because of the transfer of the presidential office under the previous administration, there was a security gap in the Itaewon area," adding, "If the government had managed the crowds properly and on time, this tragedy could have been prevented. In the end, it was a disaster that occurred because the state failed to fulfill its role."
He added, "Although the special act on the deadly crowd crush in the nightlife district of Itaewon passed the National Assembly last year and the results of the recent joint audit by the government were announced, the fact-finding remains slow, and the punishment of those responsible and the recovery for victims are still insufficient," emphasizing, "We will do our best to ensure swift passage of the amendment to the special act on the deadly crowd crush in the nightlife district of Itaewon, which includes establishing a trauma center to prevent secondary victimization and suspending the statute of limitations for disciplinary actions related to the disaster."
According to the National Assembly's bill information system, three amendments to the special act on the Itaewon disaster have been introduced in the 22nd National Assembly.
The bill by Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Hae-sik bans secondary victimization such as spreading false information and creates a legal basis for punishment, while strengthening mental health support, including the establishment of a trauma center. The bill by Kwon Chil-seung of the same party focuses on building a practical compensation system by clearly defining procedures for damages and compensation for victims. The bill by Basic Income Party lawmaker Yong Hye-in includes suspending the statutes of limitations for crimes related to the deadly crowd crush in the nightlife district of Itaewon and for disciplinary actions on public officials' misconduct, and specifies procedures for indemnification and compensation.