Gadeok New Airport and ILO Convention Legislative D-Day... Prosecutor and Media Reform Bills Next Month

COVID-19 Loss Compensation and Solidarity Fund Bills Also Proposed on the 26th

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The ruling party will attempt to pass key bills such as the Gadeokdo New Airport Special Act and the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) core conventions at the National Assembly plenary session held on the afternoon of the 26th. The Medical Service Act amendment, which cancels medical licenses if a sentence of imprisonment or higher is received, is also expected to be pushed through. These are highly contentious issues with strong opposition from opposition parties and related industries ahead of the April by-elections.

However, the opposition’s ability to check the ‘giant ruling party’ is not visible. This one-sided approach is expected to be repeated in next month’s National Assembly with even more controversial issues. The Democratic Party plans to push through a large number of bills in the March National Assembly session under the pretext of overcoming COVID-19 and reforming the prosecution and the media.

◆ ‘Gadeokdo Airport’ crossing the National Assembly amid the ruling and opposition parties’ calculations ahead of elections = On the day, Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon said at the Supreme Council meeting, "Today we will pass the Gadeok New Airport Special Act," emphasizing, "Although government ministries presented several opinions during the bill review process, it is natural for the government to comply once the National Assembly enacts the law." President Moon Jae-in, who visited Busan the day before, said, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport must have the ‘will to play a role’ in the Gadeok New Airport," and Land Minister Byeon Chang-heum said, "I apologize that some media portrayed the Ministry of Land as opposing the Gadeok New Airport." Although a report pointing out issues such as safety and economic feasibility by the Ministry of Land was revealed and caused controversy, it was dismissed.

Despite the ruling People Power Party leadership’s support, opposition remains strong mainly in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, and the Justice Party criticizes it as "no different from a copy of the Four Major Rivers Project," but the Democratic Party intends to pass it as promised.

The ILO core conventions that Korea has not ratified?‘Prohibition of Forced Labor,’ ‘Protection of Freedom of Association and the Right to Organize,’ and ‘Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining’?are also on the path to passage. The three labor union laws (Labor Union Act, Public Officials Union Act, Teachers Union Act) passed by the Democratic Party at the end of last year were prerequisites for ratification of the conventions. The business community demands supplementary legislation to guarantee the counter-rights of employers, and on the 19th, members of the People Power Party walked out of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee’s bill review subcommittee in protest against two of the conventions other than forced labor.

The Democratic Party also plans to pass an amendment to the Restriction of Special Taxation Act at the plenary session, which includes expanding the tax credit for so-called ‘good landlords’ from 50% to 70% as part of COVID-19 damage support, and additional income deductions for credit card usage. The extension of the sandbox law, which temporarily exempts regulations, and bills supporting the ‘Korean New Deal’ are also targets. The People Power Party argues that the Korean New Deal budget should be poured into overcoming COVID-19.

However, on the day, Leader Lee emphasized, "The regulatory sandbox-related bills and K-New Deal bills will be a solid foundation for preparing for the post-COVID era." In addition, the Jeju 4.3 Incident Special Act and amendments to the Child Abuse Crime Punishment Special Act will be processed. The Medical Service Act amendment is also likely to pass despite opposition from the opposition party and the medical community due to strong public support.

◆ Abolishing the Prosecutor’s Office, punitive damages for the media... expected to be completed before the April election = Next month’s National Assembly has a series of even more controversial bills lined up. The Democratic Party is preparing related bills to completely abolish the prosecution’s investigative authority, establish a Serious Crime Investigation Agency under the Ministry of Justice. Strong opposition is expected not only from the People Power Party but also from the prosecution.

Also, Democratic Party chief spokesperson Choi In-ho told reporters on the day, "We plan to propose the Loss Compensation Act today by amending the Small Business Act. The number of beneficiaries will increase significantly," adding, "Our party members also plan to propose the Social Solidarity Fund Act today, with about three members involved."

They are also pushing for a law to impose punitive damages liability on the media. The Democratic Party’s Media Coexistence Task Force (TF) and the Media Union plan to hold an emergency forum on this on the 3rd of next month. The Basic Service Industry Development Act, which has not passed the National Assembly for over 10 years, is expected to face controversy over whether to include the medical field. At a public hearing held the day before, Song Myung-je, Director of External Cooperation at the Korean Medical Association, stated the position that the principle of prioritizing individual laws such as the Medical Service Act should be explicitly specified. However, People Power Party lawmaker Chu Kyung-ho and others advocate legislation including medical care, so difficulties are expected in the future. The Democratic Party’s Regulatory Innovation Promotion Group has declared its intention to push this bill forward.

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