Plenary Session Passes Medical Dispute Mediation Act Easing Criminal Liability for Essential Medical Procedures

by Na Juseok

Published 23 Apr.2026 17:09(KST)

Non-Contentious Livelihood Bills Passed at Plenary Session

The partial amendment to the “Act on Remedies for Medical Malpractice and Mediation of Medical Disputes (Medical Dispute Mediation Act),” which stipulates that penalties for occupational negligence resulting in injury or death may be reduced for medical professionals involved in high-risk essential medical procedures that result in medical accidents-provided there was no gross negligence and the duty to explain was fulfilled-passed the plenary session on April 23.

The National Assembly held a plenary session that day and passed the Medical Dispute Mediation Act with 175 out of 177 members in attendance voting in favor (one abstention, one against). According to the amendment, the state will compensate for unavoidable medical accidents that occur during high-risk essential medical procedures. In cases of medical accidents without gross negligence, if medical staff have fulfilled their duty to explain and subscribed to liability insurance, sentences for occupational negligence resulting in injury or death may be reduced. Additionally, if the full amount of damages is paid, prosecution itself may be limited.

In addition, the plenary session approved an amendment to the Framework Act on Education, which mandates the establishment of policies to enhance all citizens’ abilities to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) technology. A partial amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, changing the term “multicultural students” to “students with migration backgrounds,” also passed the plenary session.

Fines for illegal fishing operations by foreign vessels in the exclusive economic zone have been increased. For unlicensed fishing operations, the fine was raised from 300 million won to 1.5 billion won; for violations such as failing to comply with an order to suspend fishing activities, from 200 million won to 600 million won; and for failure to comply with a stop order, from 100 million won to 300 million won, respectively.

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The amendment to the Act on the Protection and Support of Small Business Owners, which establishes the legal basis for supporting closed small business owners with store demolition, business management, legal and tax consulting, psychological counseling, and recovery programs, also passed the plenary session.

The Act on the Establishment and Operation of the National Medical School, which aims to establish and operate a national medical graduate school to foster public healthcare personnel, was also passed at the plenary session. Graduates will be required to serve in public healthcare for 15 years after obtaining a medical license.

The National Assembly also adopted a resolution urging a state-level apology, restoration of honor for victims, and promotion of commemorative projects regarding the 1980 Sabuk Incident.