Opposition's criticisms grow as Yoon opts out of Itaewon tragedy memorial ceremony

Citizens write messages of condolences at the site of last year's deadly crowd crush in Itaewon, Seoul, Friday. The tragedy killed 159 people who were enjoying Halloween festivities on Oct. 29, last year. Yonhap

President Yoon Suk Yeol's decision not to attend a ceremony to commemorate the victims of the Itaewon crowd crush, scheduled for Sunday, has drawn growing criticism from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), who have pressed the presidential office, slamming its explanation that the ceremony is politically motivated.

While the ruling People Power Party's (PPP) leaders are also shunning the ceremony, the PPP's innovation committee head has decided to participate, in an apparent effort to show that the party is changing.

During a DPK Supreme Council meeting, Friday, DPK Chairman Lee Jae-myung stressed that Yoon should attend Sunday's ceremony and offer apologies and condolences to the victims' families.

"A total of 159 innocent people died without knowing what was happening, and it is obvious that the government is responsible for this," Lee said referring to the crowd crush that occurred during Halloween festivities in the bustling nightlife spot of Itaewon in Yongsan District, Seoul, Oct. 29, last year.

"The presidential office is saying that Sunday's ceremony is politically motivated, but it will not be when rival parties and the president attend."

To mark the first anniversary of the tragedy, associations of victim families will host a commemoration ceremony at Seoul Plaza, Sunday. Four opposition parties including the DPK will participate as co-hosts.

According to sources at the presidential office, Yoon's aids initially considered the president's presence at public venues to show that the administration is listening to and reflecting upon public opinion. The ruling party suffered a crushing defeat in a recent by-election and Yoon's approval ratings have seen a dip.

However, the office opted out of the ceremony, saying it was "a political rally."

"After receiving an invitation from the bereaved families, the office discussed the president's participation, but it later turned out that the ceremony will be co-hosted by opposition parties including the DPK," an official said. "This means that it is not a commemoration ceremony, but a political rally."

It remains uncertain whether Yoon will release a message regarding the crowd crush.

Seoul's Yongsan District Council member Kim Sun-young, left, speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Friday. She said she would leave the ruling People Power Party in protest of the party's handling of the Itaewon crowd crush. Yonhap

The tragedy has been reduced to a political football for many months now. The DPK blamed the Yoon government for failures in its early response, and approved an impeachment motion on safety minister Lee Sang-min for responsibility. Lee was suspended from his position for 167 days until the Constitutional Court rejected the motion.

Due to this, sources said there are conflicting views on whether Yoon should attend Sunday's ceremony, with skeptics worried that the opposition may use the opportunity for its own political ends.

But criticisms of the decision are growing. Rep. Yong Hye-in of the minor opposition Basic Income Party said in a radio interview with broadcaster BBS, Friday, that Yoon is politicizing the tragedy by refusing to attend the ceremony.

"Yoon rushed to the memorial ceremony of former conservative President Park Chung-hee, as soon as he returned home from an overseas trip, in order to unite conservatives," Yong said. "Yet, now the office is saying that his attendance at the memorial service for the crowd crush victims is politically motivated. Is the former President's memorial not a political matter?"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon of the DPK also said in a radio interview with broadcaster MBC, Friday, that "I believe the president's condolences to the bereaved family at the ceremony will be seen as a sign that Yoon and his administration is changing."

Also on Friday, Kim Sun-young, a Yongsan District Council member from the PPP, announced that she would leave the party and join the DPK in protest of the ruling party's handling of the Itaewon tragedy.

People Power Party innovation committee head Ihn Yo-han speaks during the committee's meeting at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

Against this backdrop, PPP innovation committee head Ihn Yo-han will attend the ceremony, while its Chairman Kim Gi-hyeon and floor leader Yun Jae-ok will not, according to the party.

The decision is thought to be a move to show understanding and response of public sentiment, even if DPK supporters participating in the ceremony are expected to show hostility to the PPP.

Ihn, also known as John Linton, was appointed as chairman of the PPP's innovation committee, Monday, as the party strives to regain voter trust after the by-election defeat. He announced a list of committee members, Thursday, packed with fewer career politicians, fewer loyalists to Yoon and more young people in an effort to promote a message of diversity and cohesion.