[Exclusive] One Year After Martial Law, Legislation to Improve National Assembly Security System Remains Stalled

No Discussion on Amendments for Independent Guard and Video Conferencing
Access System Upgraded, Commanders Prosecuted

One year has passed since the 12·3 Martial Law, yet progress remains slow on tasks such as improving the National Assembly Guard's security and protection system and establishing a video conferencing system-areas previously cited as institutional shortcomings. Follow-up measures, such as upgrading the National Assembly's access control system and filing complaints against commanders responsible for property damage within the Assembly, have been implemented.

As of December 8, according to the National Assembly, the management system for the National Assembly Guard is still operated as a direct unit under the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. Currently, dozens of bills have been proposed in the National Assembly Steering Committee to establish a National Assembly Guard under the Secretariat of the National Assembly, which would be subject to the command and supervision of the Assembly, through amendments and enactments of the National Assembly Act, the National Assembly Secretariat Act, and the National Assembly Guard Act. However, even after a year since martial law, these related laws have not been properly debated, as they have been pushed aside by other urgent issues.

Currently, the National Assembly's security system is divided as follows: maintaining order and providing protocol protection in the chamber, as well as managing the safety of observers and visitors, is handled by the National Assembly Sergeant-at-Arms (first line); protection and security of major buildings within the Assembly compound, guidance for building entry, and parking management are handled by the National Assembly Security Team (second line); while security within and around the Assembly compound, guarding entrances, protection of the Speaker and official residence, VIP protection, counter-terrorism, and safety tasks are handled by the National Assembly Guard (third line). However, while the Sergeant-at-Arms and Security Team are under the National Assembly, the Guard is subject to the direction of the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, the Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and the Deputy Commissioner for Public Safety of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, in accordance with the Enforcement Rules on the Organization of the National Police Agency and its Affiliates.

On the 4th, about 20 martial law troops attempted to break the glass windows and enter the main building of the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The National Police Agency has expressed the view that it would be appropriate to establish a National Assembly Guard under the legislative branch, dedicated to maintaining safety and order in the Assembly and protecting the Speaker. However, institutional reforms have yet to be implemented.

There have also been calls for enabling remote video conferences in situations such as martial law, but amendments to the relevant laws continue to be delayed. While the National Assembly Act included provisions for remote video conferences during the COVID-19 pandemic, these provisions expired on July 1, 2022, as their validity period was not extended. Notably, the previous regulations on remote video conferences were aimed at reducing 'density' and differ from measures needed to address situations such as a lockdown of the Assembly. For this reason, the National Assembly Secretariat has explained that it is necessary to consider building a new system or a complete overhaul to allow plenary sessions to be held via remote video conferencing from third-party locations outside the Assembly. However, although more than 12 bills on this matter have been proposed and submitted to the Steering Committee, no concrete discussions have yet taken place.

The National Assembly Secretariat has taken its own precautionary measures. It has conducted a comprehensive review of the building access system, reducing electronic access rights and permanent access passes for officials from other agencies and employees of affiliated organizations. In connection with martial law, the Secretariat has also filed complaints against the former commander of the 707th Special Mission Unit and the on-site commander of the 1st Airborne Brigade for unauthorized entry into the Assembly building, breaking windows, and attempting to cut off power.

Meanwhile, when The Asia Business Daily inquired whether additional countermeasures had been prepared regarding power and water cuts, the National Assembly Secretariat responded, "We are operating emergency generators and water tanks," but did not disclose further details, citing security concerns. Previously, immediately after the declaration of martial law on December 4 last year, the Secretariat confirmed that members of the 707th Special Mission Unit had switched off both general and emergency lighting circuit breakers in the main building's first basement-level switchboard. In addition, it was revealed that former President Yoon attempted to cut power and water to media outlets through the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and other agencies.

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