PPP Backs Parl't Probe Into Itaewon Crush But Only If Budget Passed

President Yoon Suk-yeol's conservative People Power Party (PPP) has agreed to support a cross-party parliamentary investigation into the crowd crush in the Itaewon district of the capital Seoul that saw at lest 158 killed and nearly 200 injured on 29 October. However, the PPP's participation in the investigation comes on the condition that the National Assembly passes next year's national budget first.

• The PPP does not hold a majority in the National Assembly, with the main opposition liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) holding 169 of the 300 seats. Previously, the PPP had only backed a 45-day parliamentary investigation if the police probe were seen to fall short.
• Yonhap reports: "The committee will be comprised of nine members from the DPK, seven from the PPP and two from minor parties. Government agencies subject to the investigation include the presidential office, national crisis center, the prime minister's office and the interior and health ministries, as well as the Supreme Prosecutors Office, the police and the fire agency."