Democratic Party's Jang Kyung-tae Pushes for 'Enhanced Punishment Law for Assaulting Lawmakers'

People Power Party Opposes the "Privilege Bill"

A bill to strengthen penalties for violent acts against members of the National Assembly is being promoted.

According to political circles on the 24th, Jang Kyung-tae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is preparing to propose a revision to the National Assembly Act containing such provisions.

Under the current law, if a person obstructs a member's access to the meeting hall or the execution of official duties by acts such as assault, confinement, or threats in or near the meeting hall with the intent to disrupt the National Assembly meeting, they are subject to imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 10 million won. In cases of special assault for the same purpose, the penalty is imprisonment for up to seven years or a fine of up to 20 million won.

The revision expands the scope to prohibit acts that interfere not only with National Assembly meetings but also with all legislative activities of members. It introduces a provision that increases the penalty by up to half of the existing sentence if such acts occur in or near the National Assembly meeting hall.

Baek Hye-ryun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is wiping off an egg that hit her face during a press conference held by the Democratic Party's floor deputy representatives in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 20th, urging the swift impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol. Photo by Yonhap News

In response, the People Power Party immediately opposed the bill, calling it a "privilege law."

Ham In-kyung, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a statement that day, "It is appalling that members of the National Assembly, entrusted with authority as representatives of the people, intend to use their legislative power to impose harsher punishments on the public," and urged, "Withdraw this privilege bill that seeks special protection beyond ordinary citizens under the pretext of 'protecting the activities of National Assembly members' immediately."

Na Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party, criticized on Facebook the same day, saying, "The Democratic Party’s true nature of oppressing the people and its sense of privilege that places itself above the Constitution and the people are clearly revealed."

Regarding the ruling party’s opposition, Jang’s office emphasized in a notice that afternoon, "The revision is intended to defend against extreme political terrorism and violence in targeted situations such as 'random terrorism,' not personal grudges against members," and stressed, "It is merely a measure to further strengthen the existing National Assembly Advancement Act, which prohibits the use of violence or physical force against legislative activities, and is unrelated to privileges."