The National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee held a full committee meeting today (the 1st) and passed an amendment to the Itaewon Disaster Special Act, which extends the activity period of the Special Investigation Commission on the Truth and Prevention of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster by one year.

If the amendment passes the plenary session, the Special Investigation Commission will be active until September 16, 2027.

The committee also processed an amendment to the Local Autonomy Act introducing a "public agreement system" to clarify the division of roles and finances when the state and local governments or local governments jointly handle affairs.

In addition, other bills cleared the full committee threshold, including an amendment to the Framework Act on Fire Services that defines wildfire response activities as inherent firefighting duties, and amendments to the State Public Officials Act and Local Public Officials Act that extend the disciplinary statute of limitations for public officials' stalking crimes and distribution of obscene materials from the existing 3 years to 10 years.

On the other hand, the ruling and opposition parties showed differences over the submission of an amendment to the Act on the Establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Office, which would allow prosecutors to request supplementary investigations and reinvestigations for seven major crimes—including corruption, economic crimes, defense acquisition, narcotics, state protection crimes such as rebellion and foreign collusion, cybercrimes, and law-distortion crimes—directed at the Serious Crimes Investigation Office.

Lawmakers from the People Power Party opposed the submission of the bill and walked out ahead of a vote to change the agenda schedule. Afterward, led by the Democratic Party, the amendment was submitted to the full committee and referred to the bill deliberation subcommittee.

(Photo: Yonhap News)