Chairman Cho "Itaewon disaster is a social disaster... We will be together until the truth is revealed."

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Oh Kyu-jin and Choi Joo-seong = On the 27th, ahead of the 4th anniversary of the October 29 Itaewon disaster, Speaker Jo Jung-sik promised to investigate the truth and support the bereaved families, saying, "The Itaewon disaster was a social disaster that occurred because the country did not do what it should have done."

Chairman Cho met with the October 29 Itaewon Disaster Victims' Family Council at the National Assembly on this day and said, "Pre-preparation and post-mortem management were not properly carried out, no one was responsible, and even after four years, the truth has not been fully revealed."

He said, "I offer my sincere condolences to the bereaved families who have endured indescribable pain over the past four years. In particular, I pray for the peace of the merchant, who was recognized as the 160th victim last June after passing away while suffering from trauma while helping to rescue the victims."

He then mentioned that the period of activity of the Special Investigation Committee on the Itaewon Disaster (Special Investigation Committee) was extended by one year at the National Assembly last month, and emphasized, "We will check to ensure that the cause of the disaster is properly revealed, and we will also take care of the related budget so that next year's Special Investigation Committee activities can proceed without a hitch."

He added, "The National Assembly will also closely monitor whether the establishment of a memorial foundation and the construction of memorial facilities promoted by the government are being prepared without a hitch." He added, "The National Assembly will be with the bereaved families until the day the truth is revealed so that the sacrifices are not in vain."

Lee Jeong-min, chairman of the steering committee of the Bereaved Families Council, said, "The government's incompetent and irresponsible response at the time of the disaster was revealed through the special committee's interim report," and added, "As there are still many things to uncover, please show interest and support so that the truth can be uncovered as much as possible during the investigation period."