The Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act Launched by the Justice Party... Will It Pass the Legislation and Judiciary Committee?

Lee Nak-yeon Emphasizes Legislation... Discussion Expected to Accelerate
Strengthening Compared to Late Assemblyman Roh Hoe-chan
Justice Party Begins Relay Solo Protests

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Attention is focused on whether the Serious Accidents Corporate Punishment Act, the Justice Party's 'No. 1 bill' of the 21st National Assembly, can finally pass the National Assembly this time. The bill is expected to gain momentum as Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized the enactment of the Serious Accidents Corporate Punishment Act in his recent negotiation group representative speech. The Serious Accidents Corporate Punishment Act aims to strengthen criminal penalties against business owners when workers die or are injured due to negligence in safety management. The need for legislation has been consistently raised whenever industrial accidents occur, such as the Guui Station screen door accident and the coal-fired power plant fatality.

On the 10th, Baek Hye-ryun, a Democratic Party lawmaker and secretary of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, said, “Nothing has been specifically decided yet regarding the Serious Accidents Corporate Punishment Act,” adding, “We plan to ensure that it is discussed promptly according to the standing committee procedures.” However, the People Power Party holds a cautious stance on the bill, and concerns from the business community about excessive legislation are significant, so difficulties are expected during the bill's discussion process.

In his negotiation group representative speech on the 7th, Lee said, “Industrial safety is not a new issue. Still, about 2,000 workers are sacrificed in industrial sites every year. This is absolutely unacceptable and incomprehensible,” adding, “We must now prevent such tragedies. The Basic Act on Life and Safety and the Serious Accidents Corporate Punishment Act are the beginning. I hope the relevant standing committees will work to expedite the passage of these bills.”

The bill proposed by the Justice Party centers on imposing a prison sentence of at least three years or a fine ranging from 50 million to 1 billion won on business owners who violate hazardous and dangerous prevention duties resulting in death. However, a review report by expert committee members pointed out that the penalties are relatively severe compared to statutory penalties for similar types of negligence or safety duty violations. This bill is stronger than the one proposed by the late Justice Party lawmaker Roh Hoe-chan. Roh’s bill, introduced in the 20th National Assembly, stipulated imprisonment of at least one year or fines between 30 million and 300 million won. However, the bill failed to pass at the time due to concerns that it would impose excessive burdens on companies.

The Justice Party has launched a relay one-person protest this week to urge the enactment of the Serious Accidents Corporate Punishment Act. Justice Party leader Sim Sang-jung stated, “Workers dying on the job should be regarded as corporate homicide. Business owners must be punished commensurately with such serious crimes,” and requested, “We ask the Democratic Party and the People Power Party to prioritize the Serious Accidents Corporate Punishment Act in this regular session of the National Assembly.” Justice Party floor leader Kang Eun-mi said, “We will create a National Assembly that remembers the cries of labor activist Jeon Tae-il and the death of Kim Yong-gyun,” adding, “The National Assembly must enact the Serious Accidents Corporate Punishment Act to create an equal and safe workplace.”

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