No Disciplinary Action Against Public Officials for Active Response in Disaster Situations

Ministry of the Interior and Safety Announces Legislative Notice for Amendments to the Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules of the Framework Act on Disaster and Safety Management

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] From now on, even if problems arise while public officials actively carry out administrative actions to ensure safety and protect the lives of citizens during disaster situations, they will be exempt from liability.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on the 19th that it will give a 40-day legislative notice starting from the 20th of this month for the amendment of the Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules of the Framework Act on Disaster and Safety Management, which includes these details.

This amendment to the Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules contains the detailed provisions of the Framework Act on Disaster and Safety Management, which was amended and promulgated on June 9, and will take effect on December 10.

The amendment includes exemption criteria for public officials regarding the results of their proactive disaster and safety management efforts. Exemption will be granted when it is for public safety and protection of citizens' lives, but exemption will be excluded in cases of accepting bribes. If it is recognized that the exemption conditions are met, the procedure stipulates that an exemption decision can be made even without an exemption application.

When local governments review the investment priorities of disaster safety projects in advance, they will consider related major policies, past damage status, current risk levels, expected effects of prevention projects, and evaluation results of financial projects, and will include research and development projects for disaster and safety management and contingency fund support projects within the scope of the projects.

The amendment also provides the basis for the formation of a 'Support Headquarters' to assist the Accident Response Headquarters or Regional Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, and includes provisions to streamline the organization of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.

Additionally, rural lodging facilities will now be required to subscribe to disaster liability insurance. Owners, occupiers, and managers of lodging business facilities under the Rural and Fishing Village Development Act must mandatorily subscribe to disaster liability insurance within 30 days after registering as rural lodging operators, which covers compensation to third parties such as users in case of damages caused by fire, explosion, etc.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety plans to collect various opinions from the public and related organizations during the legislative notice period and reflect them in the amendment.

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