Justice Party's Pressure Campaign on Democratic Party over Serious Accident Punishment Act

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Justice Party is pressuring the Democratic Party of Korea through sit-ins and protest visits to push for the passage of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. This is based on the judgment that the bill cannot be passed if the ruling party does not take action. However, in the National Assembly, only disputes over the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) are ongoing.

The Serious Accidents Punishment Act was not included in the agenda of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's bill review subcommittee on the morning of the 7th. To be brought to the plenary session on the last day of the regular session, the 9th, all standing committees must complete their review by that day. A Legislation and Judiciary Committee official said, "Considering that the bill must go through the subcommittee and the full committee before reaching the plenary session, it seems practically difficult to handle it within this year."

The Justice Party, which is promoting the Serious Accidents Punishment Act as the 21st National Assembly's first bill, visited the mother of the late Kim Yong-gyun and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in protest on the morning of the same day, then began a 72-hour emergency sit-in press conference on the steps in front of the National Assembly Rotunda Hall. Since the 3rd, the Justice Party has continued sit-ins urging the passage of the Serious Accidents Act.

Justice Party leader Kim Jong-cheol said at the leadership meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "There was talk within the Democratic Party of Korea about passing the Serious Accidents Punishment Act during the regular session, but the bill was not on the agenda for the first subcommittee of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee today," adding, "It makes us doubt whether the Democratic Party and the People Power Party truly have the will to enact the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, and whether they recognize industrial accident issues as serious problems."

Justice Party floor leader Kang Eun-mi also said, "The Serious Accidents Punishment Act is not among the 24 bills scheduled for review at the first subcommittee of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee this morning," urging, "Please stop empty words that only express sympathy for the purpose, and clearly disclose the details of the discussions between the responsible negotiation groups holding 277 seats to the public."

The Democratic Party has not provided a clear response as of this day. The party’s Policy Committee Chair Han Jeong-ae did not include the Serious Accidents Act among the legislative tasks to be completed during the regular session posted on Facebook the previous day. Within the party, there have been criticisms that the Serious Accidents Act may have constitutional issues, and arguments have been raised that the amendment to the Industrial Safety and Health Act, known as the "Kim Yong-gyun Act," should be revised.

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