Court nixes minister's impeachment over Itaewon disaster

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Court nixes minister's impeachment over Itaewon disaster

Published: 25 Jul. 2023, 19:04 Updated: 25 Jul. 2023, 23:31

Relatives who lost their loved ones in the Itaewon crowd crush on Oct. 29 denounce the Constitutional Court on Tuesday afternoon in Jongno District, central Seoul, after the court overturned the National Assembly’s impeachment of Interior Minister Lee Sang-min. Lee was blamed for the government’s botched handling of the tragedy, which claimed 159 lives. [YONHAP]

The Constitutional Court on Tuesday unanimously overturned the National Assembly’s impeachment of Interior Minister Lee Sang-min over last year’s fatal crowd crush in Itaewon, central Seoul, which claimed 159 lives.

Lee, who had been suspended from his duties, was immediately reinstated after the court decision.

As soon as he left the court in Seoul, Lee traveled to Cheongyang County, South Chungcheong, to inspect restoration work following the recent heavy rains.

The court’s decision came 167 days since the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against Lee, marking the first time the legislative body impeached a sitting Cabinet member.

The Democratic Party (DP)-controlled parliament had held Lee accountable for the Yoon Suk Yeol administration’s botched handling of the deadly Itaewon crowd surge on Oct. 29.

Most of the victims were under the age of 30 celebrating Halloween. They were crushed in a narrow alley next to the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon, central Seoul, as large crowds came from opposite directions.

In a much-anticipated ruling, all nine judges of the Constitutional Court ruled against the impeachment on Tuesday, saying that from a constitutional and legal perspective, it was hard to believe that Lee failed his constitutional duty to protect citizens by violating the Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety and the State Public Officials Act.

“The Itaewon tragedy did not arise or escalate due to a single cause or specific individual,” said the court. “It was the result of combined factors, such as each government agency’s failure to cultivate integrated response capabilities to large-scale disasters.”

Hence, the court said it was difficult from a “normative standpoint” to lay the responsibility on Lee.

Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, center, returns to work in Cheongyang County, South Chungcheong, on Tuesday after the Constitutional Court rejected the National Assembly’s impeachment of him. [YONHAP]

During a press conference held outside the Constitutional Court, relatives of the Itaewon victims said the court “ignored requests based on common sense” and “denied its own existential value.”

The relatives urged Lee to voluntarily step down nonetheless, saying they wouldn’t stop fighting unless the following demands are met: the government issues an official national apology for the Itaewon tragedy, a special law is enacted to “uncover the truth” of what happened that night, and appropriate measures and punishment for those responsible are implemented.

As the press conference was underway, conservative groups nearby alleged the crowd crush was a conspiracy orchestrated by North Korea. In response, some of the bereaved families rushed toward the conservative activists, leading to a 30-minute altercation, in which two relatives fainted.

One was transferred to a nearby hospital and the other received medical attention from paramedics at the scene.

In a statement released to the local press, Lee urged society to “put an end to the divisive disputes” related to the Itaewon tragedy and “unite our efforts to prevent feeling such pain again.”

Lee said he sends his deep condolences to the victims and their families, adding he was sorry to the public for causing concern with his impeachment.

In scathing remarks, the presidential office slammed the DP for “abusing” its impeachment powers, stating the liberal party will face “solemn judgment” from the public for its “unconstitutional act,” hinting at next year’s general elections.

“The impeachment system is aimed at preserving the constitutional order of liberal democracy,” a high-level official from Yoon’s office told reporters immediately after the Constitutional Court’s decision.

In a Facebook post, Kim Gi-hyeon, floor leader of Yoon’s People Power Party, said the DP ought to face “severe condemnation” from the public for their “heinous act of using a national tragedy solely as a means to pursue partisan interests.”

At a press conference held in the National Assembly, representatives of the DP and two other minor left-wing parties — the Justice Party and Basic Income Party — said they respected the court’s decision but were disappointed.

The lawmakers called on Lee to resign.

BY LEE SUNG-EUN [lee.sungeun@joongang.co.kr]