National Assembly Plenary Session Passes 'River Act Amendment'... Opposition Submits Request for National Investigation into 'Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway' (Comprehensive)

Local Rivers Also Receive National Financial Support
Legislation on Watershed Management Funds Passed as Well

On the 27th, the National Assembly held a plenary session and passed 72 agenda items, including the 'River Act Amendment'.

The River Act Amendment, which gained momentum for legislative discussion belatedly due to damages caused by recent heavy rains, was approved with 249 votes in favor and 1 abstention out of 250 members present. The core of the amendment is to allow the central government to carry out river construction projects on local rivers. It includes provisions for the state to provide financial support for local rivers that are important for flood control purposes, aiming to minimize flood damage on local rivers.

The amendment swiftly passed through the Environment and Labor Committee the day before, then the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in the morning, and finally the plenary session in the afternoon. The amended law will take effect immediately upon promulgation by the government.

The above photo is not directly related to the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Three amendments related to flood prevention for the Geumgang, Nakdonggang, Yeongsangang, and Seomjingang rivers, including the River Basin Water Management and Resident Support Act, also passed the plenary session that day. These laws provide the legal basis for supporting projects responding to water-related disasters such as droughts and floods through river basin management funds.

The proposal to elect Jang Young-su, a non-standing member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Past Affairs, was also approved.

Additionally, an amendment concerning narcotics control was passed, which requires the state and local governments to bear the costs of testing and treatment protection for narcotics addicts, and revises regulations on surveys such as the Basic Narcotics Management Plan and the Narcotics Countermeasures Council. A bill expanding the designation of non-smoking zones from 10 meters to within 30 meters from the boundaries of kindergartens, daycare centers, and elementary to high school facilities was also passed.

The National Assembly also handled amendments to the Real Estate Investment Company Act, which expands obligations for providing subscription information and disclosures and prohibits self-dealing to protect investors, as well as amendments to the Special Act on Publicly Supported Private Rental Housing, requiring local government heads to be consulted when approving supply promotion district plans.

Meanwhile, the opposition party submitted a request for a state audit to the plenary session to investigate allegations of preferential treatment related to the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway route change involving President Yoon Seok-yeol's family. Speaker Kim Jin-pyo said, "I hope the representatives of each negotiation group will discuss this matter in accordance with the Act on Inspection and Investigation of State Affairs."

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