The Justice Ministry reported significant achievements, noting that 38 livelihood and safety bills have passed the National Assembly in the year since the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration (the People’s Sovereignty Government).
According to data released by the Justice Ministry on May 28, a total of 79 bills under its jurisdiction have passed the National Assembly in the last three years (from June 2023 to May 2026). Notably, nearly half of these bills, 38 (48.1%), were passed in the past year (from June 2025 to May 2026). This marks a 65% increase compared to the same period last year (23 bills) and over a 111% increase from two years ago (18 bills).
A Justice Ministry official explained that this success is the result of the ministry's operational mobilization under the directive of Minister Jeong Seong-ho to prioritize legislation directly affecting people's livelihoods, as well as effective persuasion of both ruling and opposition parties.
The legislative focus has been sharply aimed at protecting vulnerable populations. One of the most notable achievements is the 'Stalking Victim Protection Order System,' passed in March. Previously, victims had to go through investigative agencies to receive protection, but now they can directly request restraining orders from the court. Additionally, a system providing real-time location information of offenders (passed in December 2025) has been established, creating a practical safety net for victims against retaliatory crimes.
Management of high-risk sexual violence offenders has also been significantly strengthened. Under a bill passed in April, offenders deemed at high risk of reoffending will be assigned a dedicated probation officer, regardless of the victim's age. Furthermore, support for victims of serious crimes such as murder and robbery has been expanded to include public defenders, and minors or disabled victims can receive assistance without a separate application, reinforcing the state’s protective responsibility.
The Justice Ministry has also updated outdated legal frameworks that failed to reflect societal changes. The provision that exempted family crimes from punishment has been revised to align with contemporary realities, and the qualifications of immoral heirs have been revoked, leading to a comprehensive revision of civil law for the first time in 67 years (passed in February 2026). This is seen as a historic decision to address criticisms that the law has not kept pace with modern family dynamics.
Additionally, amendments to commercial law have expanded the duty of loyalty for corporate directors to shareholders and mandated the buyback of treasury shares, enhancing transparency in capital markets. Revisions to the lease protection law have also made it mandatory for landlords to disclose details of opaque management fees for small business owners.
In response to organized fraud that drives ordinary citizens to the brink, the ministry has focused not only on judicial punishment but also on economic sanctions. Legal grounds have been established for the state to confiscate and recover profits from specific fraud crimes, such as voice phishing, multi-level marketing, and rental fraud, returning them to victims.
The pinnacle of these legislative achievements is the enactment of the Anti-Japanese Property Recovery Act, passed in May. This law revives the Anti-Japanese Property Investigation Committee after 16 years, initiating a systematic recovery process. Notably, the scope of recoverable assets has been expanded to include not only properties obtained through pro-Japanese activities but also profits gained by descendants from disposing of these assets, enabling substantial restitution. Recovered assets will be prioritized for the welfare of independence activists and their families.
Minister Jeong Seong-ho emphasized, "The results reflect the core keywords of the Lee Jae-myung administration: public safety, livelihood, and reform. We will ensure that the passage of these bills leads to swift implementation and system establishment so that citizens can feel the changes in their daily lives."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.