Itaewon inquiry adopts rule on victims' access to records; families object to process

The 10·29 Itaewon Disaster Special Investigation Commission adopted a rule to support victims' viewing of disaster-related records at its 66th meeting on the morning of 20 October in Jung District, Seoul. Newsis, Asia Economy and Newsis's updated report said the draft was partly amended before the vote. Under the rule, a victim who applies to view records has the application reviewed by the commission, which decides whether to approve it and then provides the materials. The commission plans to start viewing within October after the rule is promulgated and preparations are finished. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]

The Data Records Unit (자료기록단) is designated as the department in charge of viewing. Asia Economy reported that applicants may be asked to supplement requests that are too broad or hard to specify, and that content needing protection, such as third parties' personal information, can be viewed only in part. Newsis quoted Kim Jin-seong (김진성), deputy head of the unit, as saying the general information disclosure law involves providing copies, which can invite disputes or refusals, so the commission intends to focus on viewing. Hankook Ilbo reported that the commission said records hard to confirm through the existing procedure would be provided through in-person viewing. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]

Bereaved families objected to how the rule was made. Newsis, Kyunghyang Shinmun and Hankook Ilbo reported that families submitted a request before the meeting asking the commission to hold deliberation and the vote, saying there had been no prior consultation or administrative notice. Hankook Ilbo said Kang Min-ha (강민하) and others distributed the request to commissioners, and quoted it as saying the full text and the explanation of the proposal had not been given to families. Yonhap reported that some families also criticised the rule as late, since the law already provided a basis. A bereaved family member quoted by Kyunghyang Shinmun said the matter is 'not one of deciding to comply but one the law sets'. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]

Song said the rule does not restrict victims' right to view records but helps them exercise it. Newsis quoted him as saying the commission decided a rule was needed after victims requested viewing under Article 77, paragraph 2 of the special law, and that a rule made by the commission cannot take away or limit that right. Asked whether the rule could have been prepared earlier, he said 'that is also right', Kyunghyang Shinmun reported. He said any further delay was not desirable for anyone. According to Kyunghyang Shinmun, he described the rule as an internal guideline that needs no administrative notice, and said objections or revision requests are possible after it takes effect. He said problems found during implementation would be addressed with victims' input. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]

Article 77 of the Itaewon disaster special law says public institutions must support victims who ask to view disaster-related records, Yonhap reported. Hankook Ilbo said families had until now checked records through general information disclosure requests. Asia Economy and Newsis said those requests were often limited on grounds such as personal information protection. Hankook Ilbo reported that Kang filed a complaint against Song in August, saying the commission repeatedly refused to release CCTV footage. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]

The commission also discussed interim findings in five areas, including the police security and traffic response, the Yongsan District disaster response and the drafting of false official documents. It plans to present them on 27 October at the Korea Press Center. Newsis's updated report said it will discuss findings on the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the presidential office on 22 October, and hold a separate briefing for bereaved families in November. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]