South Korea’s parliament greenlights independent probe into 2022 Halloween crush

The National Assembly unanimously passed the legislation, marking a significant step towards uncovering the root causes of the disaster and holding accountable those responsible. The bill mandates the formation of a nine-member fact-finding committee tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding the crush over a period of up to 15 months. Its primary objectives include determining culpability and recommending charges, which will then be pursued by government investigation agencies within a three-month timeframe.

The Halloween crush, among South Korea’s worst peacetime tragedies, sparked nationwide mourning. Most of the victims, predominantly in their 20s and 30s, had gathered in Seoul’s bustling nightlife district of Itaewon for festive celebrations. Following the incident, public outrage ensued, highlighting perceived government failures in addressing safety and regulatory issues, reminiscent of the lapses observed after the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster, which claimed the lives of 304 individuals, predominantly teenagers on a school excursion.

A previous police investigation pointed to failures in crowd control measures and the negligence of warnings regarding the swelling crowds in Itaewon. While some lower-ranking officials have faced trial, calls for greater accountability persisted, prompting demands for an independent inquiry.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, who had previously opposed such an investigation, signaled a shift in stance following discussions with opposition leaders. Amidst growing public pressure and the ruling party’s electoral setback, President Yoon expressed willingness to cooperate, contingent upon resolving certain disputes surrounding the investigation process.

The agreement reached between Yoon’s ruling People Power Party and the opposition Democratic Party paved the way for the passage of the legislation. With contentious clauses removed from the bill, bereaved families and opposition lawmakers welcomed the progress, emphasizing the urgency of uncovering the truth behind the tragedy.

“I can’t describe how fortunate it is as we can pass the special law now,” remarked Jin Sung-joon, chief policymaker of the Democratic Party, ahead of the vote. “We’ve accepted the demands raised by President Yoon Suk Yeol and his ruling party in consideration of the desperate requests by the bereaved families, who said they can’t wait any longer.”