Ruling Party Pushes Review of Serious Accident Punishment Act... Opposition and Business Circles Oppose Citing 'Unconstitutionality'

Baek Hyeryun, Chairperson of the National Assembly Judiciary Committee Subcommittee, is talking with Kang Eunmi, Floor Leader of the Justice Party, who is holding a picket protest urging the enactment of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act in the hallway of the National Assembly Judiciary Committee meeting room on the 24th. Photo by Yoon Dongju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Democratic Party of Korea held the 1st Subcommittee on Bill Examination on the 24th to review the Act on Punishment of Corporate and Responsible Persons for Serious Accidents (Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act). The opposition criticized the review of a bill with potential unconstitutionality as irresponsible.

The National Assembly's Judiciary Committee held the subcommittee meeting in the morning to review the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act. The bills under review include the proposal by Kang Eun-mi, floor leader of the Justice Party, three proposals respectively introduced by Democratic Party lawmakers Park Ju-min, Lee Tan-hee, and Park Beom-gye, and one proposal by Im E-ja of the People Power Party, totaling five bills.

The Democratic Party expressed its determination to pass the bill by January 8 next year, the end of the temporary session, but the opposition declared non-participation in the review, pointing out its unconstitutionality. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the emergency committee meeting, "There are three bills submitted by the Democratic Party, and there are many differences among them," adding, "If the Democratic Party first creates a unified bill and negotiates, we can respond to negotiations anytime." He said, "It is irresponsible to bring a bill for review without organizing internal opinions and with an inconsistent system."

The business community also warned of the bill's unconstitutionality. The Korea Employers Federation (KEF) expressed opposition to the Judiciary Committee's movement, stating, "This is an excessive law that uniquely stipulates individual management responsibility as subject to legal compliance and punishment worldwide." KEF argued, "From a legal system perspective, this law stipulates the same criminal elements as the Industrial Safety and Health Act but imposes heavier penalties and targets, raising a high risk of unconstitutionality," and added, "The overlapping application of the two laws causes confusion and reduces the effectiveness of accident prevention."

The Democratic Party reinforced its determination to pass the bill and pressured the opposition to participate. Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party, urged, "(The opposition) says to disclose the Democratic Party's unified bill, but if there are multiple bills, they can be reviewed together in the subcommittee," and added, "If you intend to pass the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act, please stop delaying and act sincerely."

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