Song Eonseok: "Agrees to Easing Breach of Trust for Corporate Executives... Opposes Abolishing Breach of Trust under Criminal Law"

Song Eonseok, People Power Party Floor Leader, Marks 100 Days in Office
"Need for Bipartisan Discussion on Government Organization Act Amendment"
"Regret Over Breakdown of Cooperation... Stabilization of New Leadership a Key Achievement"

Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated on the 23rd, "While I hold a forward-looking view regarding the abolition of the crime of breach of trust for corporate executives under commercial law, it is difficult to abolish the general breach of trust offense entirely at this time."

On this day, Song held a press conference at the National Assembly marking 100 days since taking office and said, "It is true that companies are facing difficulties following the passage of the Yellow Envelope Act (the amendment to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act) and the even stronger amendment to the Commercial Act." He explained that, since there are structural issues that make it difficult for companies to avoid breach of trust charges even if they fulfill their fiduciary duty to shareholders, he believes it is appropriate to ease these regulations.

Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference marking 100 days since taking office at the National Assembly on September 23, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

However, he drew a clear line regarding the abolition of the breach of trust offense under the Criminal Act. While the breach of trust offense under the Criminal Act applies to all acts, the Commercial Act targets key executives and management of companies. Song said, "The Daejang-dong and Baekhyeon-dong cases, which have been suspended under the Lee Jaemyung administration, are pending as breach of trust offenses under the Criminal Act," and added, "Abolishing this could be politically motivated to grant immunity to President Lee, so it is difficult to support."

He also expressed concerns about the amendment to the Government Organization Act, which is likely to be brought to the plenary session on the 25th. Song said, "If the reorganization plan is implemented as proposed, Kim Sunghwan, the Minister of Environment and a representative advocate of nuclear phase-out during the Moon Jae-in administration, will be responsible for the construction and operation of nuclear power plants," explaining, "This is why there are concerns that the government reorganization could become 'Nuclear Phase-Out Season 2.'" Regarding the potential dismantling of the Prosecutors' Office, he remarked, "There is a reckless push to dismantle it out of a sense of vengeance against the prosecution," and questioned, "Who will take responsibility for investigation delays and public harm caused by the proliferation of investigative agencies?"

He also called for bipartisan agreement on the amendment to the Government Organization Act. The day before, the floor leadership of both parties discussed the amendment but failed to reach an agreement, and they are scheduled to meet again today. He emphasized, "Even if the bill passes on the 25th, it will not be easy to implement it immediately in practice," adding, "The ruling and opposition parties need to engage in thorough deliberation on the reorganization plan."

Meanwhile, Song cited the lack of cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties as a regret marking his first 100 days in office. As a representative example, he pointed to the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee. He said, "Chairwoman Choo Mi-ae decided to hold a retaliatory confirmation hearing for Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hui-dae, who delivered a remand decision with a guilty verdict for President Lee," criticizing, "The National Assembly has degenerated from a forum for public policy debate into a venue for retaliation aimed at saving just one person, President Lee."

As his greatest achievement, Song cited the stabilization of the new leadership system. He said, "We have concluded the emergency response committee system, and the new leadership, including Representative Jang Donghyuk, has settled in," adding, "This has provided an opportunity to regain the public's trust."