Choi Sang-mok, the acting president and Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Strategy and Finance, presided over a cabinet meeting where it was decided to exercise the right to request reconsideration of the “Exclusion of Statute of Limitations for State Crimes Act,” “Amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act,” and “Amendment to the Broadcasting Act.”
In the cabinet meeting, Acting President Choi stated, “We have decided to exercise the right to request reconsideration of the three bills due to unavoidable circumstances,” and requested that the National Assembly address the unconstitutional elements in the “Exclusion of Statute of Limitations for State Crimes Act.”
Choi explained that the reconsideration request for the amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Broadcasting Act is “intended for the parliament and the government to discuss more desirable alternatives and solutions once again.”
Specifically, Choi agreed with the intent to respond sternly to inhumane state crimes as embodied in the “Exclusion of Statute of Limitations for State Crimes Act,” but pointed out that it could violate the constitutional principle of “proportionality” and create significant gaps in responding to crimes impacting people’s livelihoods.
He further expressed concerns, saying, “If public officials carrying out legitimate duties in livelihood investigations are exposed to lifelong wrongful lawsuits and accusations, this would worsen department avoidance in investigations, weakening the country’s crime response capabilities, with the consequences falling on ordinary citizens.”
Regarding the amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, he noted, “Students will be deprived of the opportunity to use textbooks based on digital technology such as AI, big data, IoT, cloud, and ubiquitous computing.”
He also remarked that “depending on the financial conditions of educational offices and schools, only some students will be able to use diverse digital educational materials, potentially undermining the constitutional value of providing ‘equal educational opportunities.'”
Additionally, Choi pointed out that since the implementation of a separate collection system for broadcasting fees last July, re-enforcing bundled collection through the Broadcasting Act amendment would undermine the people’s choice and infringe on their valuable property rights.
Choi added, “I feel very apologetic to the National Assembly and the people for exercising the right to request reconsideration in two consecutive cabinet meetings,” while asking for “understanding of the government’s sincere commitment to the country and the people, and a cooperative, overarching stance from the National Assembly.”
Furthermore, Acting President Choi emphasized the urgency of activating the ‘National Assembly-Government Policy Council’ to discuss the need for additional fiscal inputs and promptly address essential livelihood and economic legislation.
There is concern that the policy shifts under the newly inaugurated U.S. government led by Donald Trump could significantly impact the economy and the industry, and Choi stated that they would mobilize all available resources to respond to changes in the trade environment and focus on recovering livelihoods.