National Assembly Passes Non-Contentious Bills Including Medical Dispute Mediation Act... Sejong City Act Approved Late (Comprehensive)

On April 23, the National Assembly passed a partial amendment to the "Act on Remedy for Damage Caused by Medical Accidents and Mediation of Medical Disputes" (Medical Dispute Mediation Act), which reduces the sentence for occupational negligence resulting in death or injury for high-risk, essential medical procedures, provided that there was no gross negligence and that the medical professional fulfilled their duty of explanation.

At the plenary session held on this day, the National Assembly passed the Medical Dispute Mediation Act with 175 in favor, 1 abstention, and 1 against out of 177 members present. 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 the medical staff fulfilled their duty of explanation and held liability insurance, the penalty for occupational negligence resulting in death or injury may be reduced. Furthermore, if full compensation for damages is paid, prosecution itself will be restricted.

Additionally, during the plenary session, the Assembly passed an amendment to the Framework Act on Education, which stipulates the establishment of policies to enhance all citizens' ability to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) technology. An amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, changing the term "multicultural students" to "students with migrant backgrounds," also passed the plenary session.

Fines for illegal fishing by foreign vessels in the exclusive economic zone have been raised. Unlicensed fishing fines were increased from 300 million won to 1.5 billion won, violations of fishing activity suspension orders were raised from 200 million won to 600 million won, and violations of stop order requirements were raised from 100 million won to 300 million won, respectively.

Yonhap News Agency

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An amendment to the Act on Protection and Support of Small Business Owners, which provides for support such as store demolition, management, legal and tax consulting, psychological counseling, and recovery programs for small business owners who have closed their businesses, also cleared the plenary session.

The plenary session also passed the Act on the Establishment and Operation of the National Graduate School of Medicine, which aims to establish and operate the National Graduate School of Medicine for the training of public healthcare personnel. Graduates are required to serve in public healthcare for 15 years after obtaining their medical licenses.

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

Meanwhile, the plenary session passed an amendment to the "Special Act on the Establishment of Sejong Special Self-Governing City," raising the ratio of proportional representation members in the Sejong City Council from the current 10% to 14%. This bill is intended to supplement the system ahead of the June 3 local elections. Previously, on April 18, the National Assembly amended the Public Official Election Act to raise the proportion of proportional representation in metropolitan councils from 10% to 14%. However, as Sejong City is subject to the Special Act rather than the Public Official Election Act, it was excluded from this increase. Subsequently, Kang Junhyeon from the Democratic Party of Korea and independent lawmaker Paek Jongmin, both representing constituencies in Sejong City, jointly sponsored the amendment to the Sejong City Act on April 20. The amendment was referred to the plenary session after passing both the Special Committee on Political Reform and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in a single day.

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