The Korea Herald republishes a weekly legislative report by local law firm DR & AJU LLC to provide the latest information on bills approved, proposed, pending and set to be promulgated. -- Ed.

Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act

Proposed by Rep. Park Hong-bae (Democratic Party of Korea)

● This amendment strengthens protections for fundamental labor rights under the Constitution. Notably, it enhances contractors’ responsibilities toward subcontracted workers and specifies provisions limiting employers’ claims for damages against employees and trade unions.

Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act

Proposed by Rep. Lee Hoon-ki (Democratic Party of Korea)

● Currently, individuals who become the largest shareholder through other shareholders’ stock disposal are not subject to a public interest test or authorization by the Ministry of Science and ICT. To prevent potential abuse, this amendment mandates a governmental review for such cases.

Pending Bill: Partial Amendment to the Commercial Act

Proposed by Rep. Lee Jung-mun (Democratic Party of Korea)

● This amendment extends directors' duty of loyalty both to the company and to its shareholders, requiring them to protect all shareholders' interests and ensure fair treatment.

Promulgated Bill: Rules on Safety of Drugs, etc.

Competent Authority: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

● Following the amendment to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, which introduced a new system for protecting clinical trial data, this bill specifies the drugs subject to data protection, information disclosure and defines drugs requiring risk management.

Administrative Announcement: Partial Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources

Competent Authority: Ministry of Environment

● This amendment modifies the scope of designated recycling business entities required to use waste plastic recycled raw materials, shifting the obligation from plastic substance manufacturers to businesses producing water or nonalcoholic drinks in PET bottles.

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For any queries about the bills, contact cr@draju.com.