"'n번방' Public Reporting Enabled... 'Sexual Violence Against Minors Under 13' Included in Reportable Cases"

284 Public Interest Violation Laws Expanded to 467... Revised "Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act" to Be Promulgated
Major Laws Added Including "Sexual Violence Punishment Act," "Military Service Act," "Child Abuse Punishment Act"... "Strengthening Whistleblower Protection"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The "Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act" amendment bill, which adds 182 major laws including the "Sexual Violence Punishment Act" and the "Military Service Act" to the list of laws subject to public interest infringement acts, was passed at the Cabinet meeting on the 12th. The government expects that once the bill is promulgated on the 19th and enforced from November 20, protection for public interest whistleblowers will be strengthened.

On the 12th, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) stated that the amendment reflects the target laws included in the government proposals submitted twice by the ACRC in 2018 and this year, as well as the target laws contained in bills proposed by lawmakers of the 20th National Assembly.

The ACRC announced that this amendment adds the largest number of target laws since the enforcement of the "Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act" on September 30, 2011. The number of laws subject to public interest infringement acts was 180 on September 30, 2011, increased to 279 on July 24, 2015, and only rose to 284 on May 1, 2018.

According to the ACRC, the scope of public interest reports includes acts that infringe on the public interest such as the health, safety, environment, consumer interests, fair competition, or equivalent public benefits of the people, by violating the 284 laws subject to public interest infringement acts.

There have been criticisms that the number and types of laws were insufficient to prevent various public interest infringement acts.

Among the reports received by the ACRC this year, a case where a real estate transaction was falsely reported without concluding a sales contract could not be processed as a public interest report because the "Act on Reporting and Using Specified Real Estate Transaction Information" was not included as a law subject to public interest infringement acts.

On the 29th of last month, the "Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act" amendment bill was passed by the National Assembly, and with its approval at the Cabinet meeting on this day, laws such as the "Sexual Violence Punishment Act," "Military Service Act," and "Child Abuse Punishment Act" were finally added to the scope of public interest reports.

From now on, acts such as ▲ sexual violence against minors under 13 years old or persons with disabilities ▲ filming a person's face or body and editing, synthesizing, or distributing it in a way that causes sexual shame without the subject's consent ▲ evasion or avoidance of military service obligations ▲ child abuse crimes committed by workers at child welfare facilities, school staff, or daycare center childcare staff will also be subject to public interest reporting.

Anyone can make a public interest report according to the law, and the confidentiality of the reporter is strictly guaranteed. Reporters can receive protective measures such as restoration of rights and personal protection from the ACRC against disadvantages or threats to life and body that may arise from the report.

Park Eun-jung, Chairperson of the ACRC, said, "With this legal amendment strengthening the protection of whistleblowers, courageous reports on serious public interest infringements that have aroused public outrage, such as the 'Nth Room' case, will increase," and added, "The ACRC will continue to strive to create an environment where anyone can report with confidence."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.