Ruling Party: "Inspection of Unit at Landmine Accident Site on the 28th" vs. People Power Party: "Clarification Through Committee Questioning"

The ruling and opposition parties continued to clash over the issue of on-site inspection and pending questions regarding the suspected landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The Democratic Party of Korea proposed a joint on-site inspection, but the People Power Party dismissed it as a "show that cannot even access the site," demanding instead a session of the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee to address related questions.

Kim Byungju, a member of the Democratic Party, is delivering a greeting at the launch ceremony of the Democratic Party's Sovereignty Transfer Promotion Group. Photo by Yonhap News

Byungjoo Kim, Democratic Party lawmaker and ruling party secretary of the National Defense Committee, held a press conference at the National Assembly on September 26, stating, "Committee members have decided to visit the unit at the accident site in person on the 28th for an inspection." He added, "Hearing directly from the on-site commanders and operating soldiers allows for a much more in-depth verification than simply reviewing a report in a meeting room."

Kim pointed out, "The People Power Party has repeatedly demanded a full committee session to question key issues, yet refused any on-site visit," and added, "If they call for uncovering the truth but avoid a site where the truth lies, ultimately what they desire is not the truth but merely a stage for political strife." He went on, "Starting with the on-site visit, the committee will thoroughly verify through a joint field investigation and an expert evaluation by the National Forensic Service," urging the People Power Party to participate.

Jongdeuk Lim, the opposition party secretary of the National Defense Committee and lawmaker from the People Power Party, held a press conference along with his party’s committee members, criticizing, "While claiming to be concerned for the safety of soldiers, why are politicians crowding into a unit that should be stabilizing after the accident and imposing further burdens?"

Lim stated, "Even if lawmakers visit the unit, they cannot actually enter the accident site," and pointed out, "If an on-site inspection is truly necessary, it can be sufficiently conducted during the parliamentary audit process after the unit regains a certain level of stability."

He also criticized, "In this situation, the government and the ruling party, who are responsible for national affairs, are even opposing the convening of a full session of the National Defense Committee," and declared to the Democratic Party, "Stop putting on a show."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.