On the 1st in Seoul’s Yeouido, at the National Assembly’s Legislative and Judiciary Committee’s first subcommittee meeting, Representative Na Kyung-won from the People Power Party protested against the ruling party’s initiative to discuss a law for establishing a ‘riot-specialized court,’ directed at Kim Yong-min, the subcommittee chairman from the Democratic Party of Korea, as captured in a photo by Yonhap News.
Three key bills related to the December 3 Martial Law Incident have passed the review subcommittee of the National Assembly’s Legislative and Judiciary Committee.
The first subcommittee passed the Riot Specialized Court Establishment Act, which specializes in handling riot cases, and the law establishing the crime of legal distortion, which penalizes the distortion of law application by judges and prosecutors.
Additionally, an amendment to the Public Official Corruption Investigation Unit Act, expanding its investigative targets to all crimes, was approved.
Members of the People Power Party left the meeting room right before the vote.
The Riot Specialized Court Establishment Act mandates that both first and second trials related to the December 3 Martial Law and Riot Incident be handled by a specialized court.
A new system for riot-exclusive warrant judges was also established.
While the current Criminal Procedure Act limits detention to a maximum of six months, the special law allows for an extension up to a year only for cases of riot or treason.
Kim Yong-min, the first subcommittee chairman, stated, “There is significant public anxiety about the possibility of riot offenders being released soon,” explaining that this concern led to the passage of the specialized court law.
The law of legal distortion imposes penalties on judges and prosecutors who intentionally distort the application of the law.
It allows punishment of those in judicial or investigative positions who, with improper motives, misapply the law or severely misjudge the facts.
The final piece is the amendment to the Public Official Corruption Investigation Unit Act. Until now, investigations were limited to crimes related to official duties of high-ranking officials.
However, the amendment expands the investigative scope to all crimes, regardless of their relation to official duties.
Chairman Kim expressed, “The public is outraged that riot trials aren’t progressing adequately. The National Assembly exercised its authority to pass the law.”
These three bills are soon to be submitted to the full meeting of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee and must pass the plenary session for final approval.