DPK To Revise 'Distortion of Law' Offense... "Minimizing Unconstitutionality Concerns"

Legislation and Judiciary Committee Secretary Kim Yongmin Pushes Back

The Democratic Party of Korea announced on the 25th that it would revise the so-called 'distortion of law' offense (Criminal Act amendment), which had drawn criticism for potential unconstitutionality. The move appears to reflect the party leadership’s acceptance of concerns raised not only inside and outside the party but also from some civil society groups that the provision may be unconstitutional.

Baek Seung-a, floor spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, met with reporters at the National Assembly after a closed-door party caucus and said, "The distortion of law offense has been revised from the original draft," adding, "The amendment has been revised so that it applies only to criminal cases, and clarity has been added to each subparagraph in a way that minimizes the risk of unconstitutionality."

(Seoul=Yonhap) Hwang Kwangmo = Jung Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (left), is entering a closed-door meeting of party lawmakers held at the National Assembly on the 25th. The Democratic Party plans to pass the third amendment to the Commercial Act by vote in the plenary session, which is undergoing unlimited debate (filibuster), and then introduce the Criminal Code amendment among the judicial reform bills. 2026.2.25 hkmpooh@yna.co.kr (End)

The distortion of law offense provides that if a judge or prosecutor intentionally distorts the law or manipulates the facts during trial proceedings, they can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. However, some within the party have consistently raised concerns that the wording is ambiguous.

Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, wrote on social media (SNS) the same day, pointing out, "Among the provisions on the distortion of law offense that passed the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the clause stating, 'in cases where a law or regulation is intentionally misapplied to favor or disadvantage one of the parties' needs to be revised or deleted before it is tabled at the plenary session."

However, Representative Kim Yongmin, the ruling party secretary of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, pushed back. He said, "I hope the party leadership and the floor leader, who unilaterally revised the Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s bill without consulting the committee and then forced it through as the party line, will take responsibility for distorting the distortion of law offense."