With about a month left until the end of the investigation period for the Special Investigation Commission on the Itaewon Tragedy, bereaved families have criticized the commission's probe as sluggish and urged that the Itaewon Tragedy Special Act be revised to allow requests for a special counsel.

Holding a press conference in front of the Cheong Wa Dae fountain in Jongno-gu, Seoul, this morning (the 19th), the bereaved families demanded, "Along with extending the commission's investigation period, please revise the special law to include a clause for requesting a special counsel so that a true investigation becomes genuinely possible."

The families sharply criticized that the commission has failed to properly investigate the disaster due to internal conflicts, citing the recent resignation of Chairperson Song Ki-chun and the dismissal of Investigation Bureau Director Han Sang-mi.

They pointed out, "Over the past year and three months, the only case the commission has finished investigating and resolved is recognizing as the 160th victim an Itaewon merchant who passed away in April of this year after suffering from trauma after participating in rescue efforts on the day of the disaster," adding, "Not a single decision has been made to reveal the causes of and responsibilities for the disaster."

They also argued that the commission has not been communicating smoothly with the bereaved families regarding the progress of the investigation, demanding that the families' rights to participate in the fact-finding process and receive necessary information be practically guaranteed.

The bereaved families further expressed concern that pathways for investigating those responsible for the disaster could be blocked ahead of the implementation of the revised Criminal Procedure Act in October.

While a joint prosecution and police investigation team for the Itaewon tragedy was formed at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office following a meeting with President Lee Jae-myung in July of last year, implementation of the revised Criminal Procedure Act would make the legal basis for the investigation team's existence unclear, they noted.

They argued, "While investigations are making no progress, even the channel to file complaints and accusations will disappear," insisting that a special counsel request clause must be included together in the amendment to the Itaewon Tragedy Special Act, which centers on extending the investigation period.

After finishing the press conference, the bereaved families delivered an appeal containing these demands and letters written to the victims to officials at Cheong Wa Dae.

(Photo: Yonhap News)