The Itaewon Special Investigation Committee, tasked with uncovering the truth behind the Itaewon tragedy that occurred on October 29, has officially summoned former President Yoon Seok-yeol and former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min to testify in a hearing scheduled for next month. This decision follows the committee's 48th meeting, during which it approved a witness list consisting of 81 individuals alongside requests for documentation from various government entities. The hearing will take place over two days, from December 12 to 13, at the Bank Union Headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul.

The committee's primary objective during this hearing is to interrogate the decision-makers and supervisors involved in the preventive measures, response strategies, and post-incident recovery processes related to the tragedy. Notably, the list of summoned witnesses includes top officials from the government and police departments active at the time of the incident, which has drawn significant public attention due to the serious implications of their testimony for accountability. Additionally, other officials, including fire department leaders accused of failing their responsibilities during the disaster, have also been included in the list, highlighting the committee's thorough approach to investigating the circumstances of the tragedy.

In accordance with the special law governing this inquiry, witnesses and referenced individuals are mandated to attend the hearing and provide requested documents unless they have a valid excuse. Failure to comply may result in penalties, including prison time or fines. The committee has stated its intention to send out attendance summons to the approved witnesses to ensure key figures are present for the critical proceedings, underlining the significance of the investigation into the management and response to the Itaewon disaster, which has profoundly affected public trust in governance and emergency management systems in South Korea.