From Now On, 'Cultural Heritage (X) → National Heritage (O)'... Improvement in Social Service Agent Work Conditions

Implementation of 113 Laws Including the 'National Heritage Basic Act' in May

Starting next month, the official term 'cultural heritage' will be replaced with 'national heritage.' On the occasion of the enforcement of the 'National Heritage Basic Act' on May 17, the government has designated December 9 each year as 'National Heritage Day' to enhance public understanding and awareness of the protection of national heritage.

On the 30th, the Ministry of Government Legislation introduced major new laws to be implemented, including this change.

According to the Military Service Act, effective from the 1st of next month, acts that cause physical or mental distress to social service agents or worsen their working environment within the service institution are prohibited. If harassment occurs, the head of the service institution must promptly conduct an objective investigation targeting the parties involved, and must ensure that social service agents who report harassment or those who have suffered from it are not subjected to unfavorable treatment within the service institution.

A new basis for restricting payments to recipients of disaster or retirement survivor benefits who have failed to fulfill child-rearing responsibilities will also be established. According to the Military Disaster Compensation Act and Military Pension Act, effective from the 1st of next month, among those eligible to receive disaster survivor benefits or retirement survivor benefits who are or were soldiers, if a person responsible for child-rearing fails to fulfill this duty, the full or partial payment of the relevant benefits may be withheld considering the period and extent of non-fulfillment of child-rearing responsibilities.

The Medical Service Act, effective from the 20th of next month, includes a provision requiring hospital-level medical institutions to assign dedicated education nurses to support the adaptation of newly hired nurses. These education nurses will plan, operate, and evaluate the training programs for new nurses, oversee and manage education, supervise and guide educational staff, and secure and develop resources necessary for education.

The obligation to attach a temporary operation permit for the temporary operation of unregistered vehicles will be abolished from the 21st of next month. Previously, those who intended to temporarily operate an unregistered vehicle had to attach a temporary operation permit to the front windshield and a temporary operation permit number plate in the position of the registration plate while driving. However, the temporary operation permit contained sensitive personal information such as the vehicle user's name, date of birth, and address, and attaching it to the front windshield was reported to obstruct the driver's view. To address these issues, from the 21st of next month, only the temporary operation permit number plate must be attached during operation.