S. Korea approves new inquiry into deadly 2022 crush
South Korea's National Assembly has approved a new bill to launch a detailed investigation into the tragic crowd crush that occurred in Seoul's Itaewon district during Halloween celebrations in 2022. The incident resulted in the death of nearly 160 individuals. The bill received support from both the ruling and opposition parties, indicating a unified approach towards addressing the tragedy and its aftermath. The decision for a renewed probe comes amid increasing calls from various quarters, including the victims' families, for accountability and thorough investigation into the events leading to the crush. Notably, Joung Mi-ra, a mother who lost her child in the crush, has been vocal outside the parliament, emphasizing the need for a sincere response from the government to uncover the disaster's root causes and responsibilities. This latest legislative effort is seen as a compromise, following the veto of an earlier bill by President Yoon Suk Yeol. The vetoed bill, which was not supported by the ruling People Power Party, was aimed at granting full investigative powers to the proposed panel. In contrast, the newly approved bill outlines the establishment of a committee, with members and a chair recommended by the two major political parties, to delve into the details of the incident. The tragedy has seen not only calls from within South Korea for an independent inquiry but also from international entities such as the United Nations Human Rights Committee. Initial investigations by the police attributed the devastating outcome to a lack of preparedness and inadequate response, leading to the indictment of the former head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency for negligence. Despite these actions, no senior government officials have been resigned or dismissed in relation to the incident.