Former President Yoon Seok-yeol has officially communicated to the Special Investigation Committee (SIC) that he will not attend the upcoming hearing aimed at uncovering the facts surrounding the Itaewon disaster on October 29, due to concerns related to his trial. The hearing is set for December 12-13, and Yoon's rationale appears to be connected to ongoing judicial proceedings, suggesting that he may have a trial on the same dates. The committee is also awaiting a response from former Minister of the Interior and Safety, Lee Sang-min, who has similarly been summoned as a witness but has yet to confirm his attendance.

The Special Investigation Committee was established to address numerous questions and concerns arising from the Itaewon tragedy, with the intent to prevent future incidents. Over 80 individuals, including key figures from police and fire services as well as local government officials responsible for managing the emergency response, have been called to testify. Yoon and Lee's non-attendance may undermine the committee's mission to shed light on the deficiencies in the response to the disaster and could provoke public discourse around accountability for the tragedy.

According to the special law governing the Itaewon disaster inquiry, witnesses are obligated to attend hearings unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise. Failure to comply without just cause can result in penalties, including up to three years in prison or fines of up to 30 million won. The SIC expressed intentions to visit the correctional facility where both Yoon and Lee are being held to encourage their cooperation with the inquiry, emphasizing the importance of their testimonies in elucidating the circumstances surrounding one of Korea's most significant recent public safety failures.