SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s parliament on Thursday approved special legislation mandating a new, independent investigation into the 2022 Halloween crush in Seoul that killed 159 people.
The single-chamber National Assembly passed the bill by a 256-0 vote. It will become law after it is signed by conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol and promulgated by his government agency — steps that are considered formalities because the president and his ruling party already agreed on the legislation.
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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s parliament on Thursday approved special legislation mandating a new, independent investigation into the 2022 Halloween crush in Seoul that killed 159 people.
Bereaved family members of the victims of the Halloween crush in 2022 and opposition lawmakers shout during a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 2, 2024. South Korea's parliament on Thursday approved legislation mandating a new, independent investigation into the 2022 Halloween crush in Seoul that killed 159 people. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
The National Assembly passes a special bill for a new probe into the Halloween crush in 2022 in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 2, 2024. South Korea's parliament on Thursday approved legislation mandating a new, independent investigation into the 2022 Halloween crush in Seoul that killed 159 people. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, shakes hands with main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung during a meeting at the presidential office in Seoul South Korea, Monday, April 29, 2024. (Hong Hae-in/Yonhap via AP)
FILE - Rescue workers treat injured people on a street near the scene of a crush in Seoul, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2022. South Korea’s parliament on Thursday, May 2, 2024 approved legislation mandating a new, independent investigation into the 2022 Halloween crush in Seoul that killed 159 people. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)
Bereaved family members of the victims of the Halloween crush in 2022 react at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 2, 2024. South Korea's parliament on Thursday approved legislation mandating a new, independent investigation into the 2022 Halloween crush in Seoul that killed 159 people. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
FILE - Injured people are helped at a street near the scene of a crush in Seoul, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2022. South Korea’s parliament on Thursday, May 2, 2024 approved legislation mandating a new, independent investigation into the 2022 Halloween crush in Seoul that killed 159 people. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)
Bereaved family members of the victims of the Halloween crush in 2022 react at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 2, 2024. South Korea's parliament on Thursday approved legislation mandating a new, independent investigation into the 2022 Halloween crush in Seoul that killed 159 people. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
The bill is meant to delve into the root cause of the crush, and look at how authorities handled the disaster and who should be blamed for it. It envisages the creation of a fact-finding committee with nine members that would independently examine the disaster for up to 15 months.
Once the committee determines who is responsible and who should face charges, it would report them to the government's investigation agencies. The agencies would then be required to conclude investigations of the suspects within three months, according to the bill.
The crush, one of the biggest peacetime disasters in South Korea, caused a nationwide outpouring of grief. The victims, who were mostly in their 20s and 30s, had gathered in Seoul's popular nightlife district of Itaewon for Halloween celebrations.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, there was also anger that the government had again ignored safety and regulatory issues despite the lessons learned since the 2014 sinking of the ferry Sewol, which killed 304 people — mostly teenagers on a school trip.
In early 2023, a police special investigation concluded that police and municipal officials failed to formulate effective crowd control steps, despite correctly anticipating a huge number of people in Itaewon. At the time, investigators said police had also ignored hotline calls by pedestrians who warned of swelling crowds before the surge turned deadly.
More than 20 police and other officials have been on trial over the disaster but few top-level officials have been charged or held accountable, prompting bereaved families and opposition lawmakers to call for an independent probe.
Ahead of the vote, Kim Kyo-heung from the main liberal opposition Democratic Party and chairman of parliament’s safety committee expressed hope the probe would determine responsibility for the disaster and structural problems behind the crush, as well as formulate steps to prevent similar disasters.
Families of the victims welcomed the bill while rallying outside the National Assembly.
“I think today is indeed the most memorable day for our bereaved families,” said Lee Jeong-min, a representative for the families. “It wasn't possible without the support of opposition lawmakers and many citizens who have sympathized with us. I'd like to say we really thank them.”
President Yoon had previously opposed a new investigation of the disaster. In January, he vetoed a similar bill for an independent investigation of the Itaewon crush that had passed through parliament.
However, during a meeting with Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung Monday, he said he wouldn't oppose it, should some existing disputes be resolved, such as whether the fact-finding committee can request arrest warrants.
A shift in Yoon's position came as he faces growing public calls to cooperate with Lee's party, which scored a massive win in the April 10 parliamentary election, extending its control of parliament for another four years.
In a meeting with Yoon's ruling People Power Party on Wednesday, Lee's party agreed to remove contentious clauses from the draft bill.
The Democratic Party's chief policymaker, Jin Sung-joon, said the party had accepted demands by the president and his ruling party in the interest of the "bereaved families, who said they can't wait any longer.”
Bereaved family members of the victims of the Halloween crush in 2022 and opposition lawmakers hold a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 2, 2024. South Korea's parliament on Thursday approved legislation mandating a new, independent investigation into the 2022 Halloween crush in Seoul that killed 159 people. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Bereaved family members of the victims of the Halloween crush in 2022 and opposition lawmakers shout during a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 2, 2024. South Korea's parliament on Thursday approved legislation mandating a new, independent investigation into the 2022 Halloween crush in Seoul that killed 159 people. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
The National Assembly passes a special bill for a new probe into the Halloween crush in 2022 in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 2, 2024. South Korea's parliament on Thursday approved legislation mandating a new, independent investigation into the 2022 Halloween crush in Seoul that killed 159 people. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, shakes hands with main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung during a meeting at the presidential office in Seoul South Korea, Monday, April 29, 2024. (Hong Hae-in/Yonhap via AP)
FILE - Rescue workers treat injured people on a street near the scene of a crush in Seoul, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2022. South Korea’s parliament on Thursday, May 2, 2024 approved legislation mandating a new, independent investigation into the 2022 Halloween crush in Seoul that killed 159 people. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)
Bereaved family members of the victims of the Halloween crush in 2022 react at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 2, 2024. South Korea's parliament on Thursday approved legislation mandating a new, independent investigation into the 2022 Halloween crush in Seoul that killed 159 people. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
FILE - Injured people are helped at a street near the scene of a crush in Seoul, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2022. South Korea’s parliament on Thursday, May 2, 2024 approved legislation mandating a new, independent investigation into the 2022 Halloween crush in Seoul that killed 159 people. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)
Bereaved family members of the victims of the Halloween crush in 2022 react at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 2, 2024. South Korea's parliament on Thursday approved legislation mandating a new, independent investigation into the 2022 Halloween crush in Seoul that killed 159 people. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
It was Lainey Wilson ’s night, in many ways. She took home female artist of the year and the top prize of entertainer of the year at the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards.
“I’ve been in Nashville for 13 years doing this,” Wilson started her speech. “Everybody in this category has loved on me and believed on me,” she added. “And I love y’all for that.”
She joins an exclusive category of few women to earn the top prize: Miranda Lambert was named entertainer of the year in 2022. In 2020, Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett tied for the title, the first time ever for a tie and the first time a woman had won the category since Taylor Swift in 2012.
Wilson also opened the 59th annual ACMs with a cover of Little Texas’ “God Blessed Texas,” flawlessly jumping into her new single, “Hang Tight Honey.” Afterward, Clay Walker and Randy Travis presented Jordan Davis with song of the year for his ubiquitous country radio hit “Next Thing You Know.”
“First off, I want to thank the fans for loving this song,” he said in his acceptance speech. “I love songwriting because of songs that won song of the year, so to be holding this right now is crazy.”
Music event of the year also went to Wilson — and Jelly Roll, for his smash “Save Me.”
“No pun intended, but seriously, this song saved me,” Jelly Roll said in his speech. “I thought I would die and go to jail,” he said while getting emotional — and instead, he celebrated being an ACM award winner.
The ACMs, held at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, just north of Dallas, was hosted by Reba McEntire.
In one of the most anticipated performances of the show, Jason Aldean lit up the stage in a moving tribute to the late Toby Keith.
He gave the crowd a poignant, acoustic performance of Keith’s classic “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” as the audience sang along, and Keith’s family watched from the crowd.
Across his career, Keith took home 14 ACM Awards, twice winning the top prize of entertainer of the year. He died in February at age 62, following a diagnosis of stomach cancer.
Album and male artist of the year went to Chris Stapleton. “There’s so many great guys in that category and I’m happy just to be included in this company,” he said in his acceptance speech.
And when it came time to perform his new song “Think I’m in Love with You,” he was joined by a very special guest: Dua Lipa.
It wasn’t the only surprise: Post Malone debuted a brand-new song, “Never Love You Again,” which bled into his huge new single with Morgan Wallen “I Had Some Help.” Wallen did not perform.
Instead, afterward, McEntire joined Post Malone to duet a little bit of the Allman Brothers Band’s “Ramblin’ Man” in tribute to Dickey Betts, who died last month. He was 80.
Earlier in the evening, Luke Combs — the most nominated artist of the night, with eight — took home single of the year for his cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.” Last year, Chapman’s 1988 song won song of the year at the Country Music Awards for Combs’ cover, making her the first Black songwriter to win in the category.
Dan and Shay and Old Dominion took home the prize for duo and group of the year, respectively.
Performances hit fast and furious: Jelly Roll launched into a rocking rendition of his new song “Liar,” followed closely by Kelsea Ballerini with Noah Kahan — doing her song “Mountain with a View” into his viral hit “Stick Season.”
Tigirlily Gold did “I Tried A Ring On,” Texas-born Cody Johnson brought his “Dirt Cheap,” and Miranda Lambert debuted her new single “Wranglers.”
Kane Brown did a moving cover of “Georgia On My Mind.” Thomas Rhett did “Beautiful As You” and everyone’s favorite couple Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani brought the lovely “Purple Irises” to the ACM stage.
Park McCollum did his hit “Burn It Down,” new male artist of the year winner Nate Smith and pop-punk powerhouse Avril Lavigne performed their new one, “Bulletproof,” and host McEntire closed out the show with her new single, “I Can’t.”
The ACM Awards were livestreamed on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch Live.
For more coverage of this year’s ACM Awards, visit https://apnews.com/hub/academy-of-country-music-awards
Lainey Wilson accepts the award for entertainer of the year during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Lainey Wilson performs a medley during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Lainey Wilson accepts the award for entertainer of the year during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Carin Leon arrives at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dan Smyers of Dan + Shay, from left, Reba McEntire, and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay introduce a performance by Miranda Lambert during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Dan Smyers of Dan + Shay, from left, Reba McEntire, and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay introduce a performance by Miranda Lambert during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Bobby Bones, left, and Caitlin Parker arrive at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Tanya Trotter, left, and Michael Trotter Jr. of The War and Treaty introduce a performance by Kane Brown during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Tanya Trotter, left, and Michael Trotter Jr. of The War and Treaty introduce a performance by Kane Brown during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
P1Harmony arrives at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
P1Harmony arrives at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Kane Brown performs "Georgia on My Mind during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Kerry King performs during Sonic Temple Art and Music Festival on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Kane Brown performs "Georgia on My Mind during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Kane Brown performs "Georgia on My Mind during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Kane Brown performs "Georgia on My Mind during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Phil Demmel performs during Sonic Temple Art and Music Festival on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Thomas Rhett performs "Beautiful As You" during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Thomas Rhett performs "Beautiful As You" during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Kyle Sanders performs during Sonic Temple Art and Music Festival on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Thomas Rhett performs "Beautiful As You" during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Chris Stapleton accepts the award for male artist of the year during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Jordan Davis, left, and Carin Leon present the award for male artist of the year during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Gwen Stefani, left, and Blake Shelton perform "Purple Irises" during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Host Reba McEntire speaks during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Chris Stapleton accepts the award for male artist of the year during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Randy Travis, left, and Clay Walker present the award for song of the year during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Lainey Wilson performs a medley during the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Lainey Wilson arrives at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Bunnie XO arrives at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Jelly Roll, left, and Bunnie XO arrive at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Kendra Slaubaugh, left, and Krista Slaubaugh of Tigirlily Gold arrives at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Jelly Roll arrives at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Michael Trotter Jr., left, and Tanya Trotter of The War and Treaty arrive at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
This combination of photos show, country musicians, from left, Luke Combs, Megan Moroney and Morgan Wallen. Combs leads the 2024 ACM Awards nominations with eight, and Moroney and Wallen are nominated for six each. (AP Photo)
Lainey Wilson arrives at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Jelly Roll arrives at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
