Ministry seeks to strengthen security law
The Ministry of Justice said Wednesday it will push for a revision to the National Security Law to give the Supreme Court the power to disband organizations deemed to be “anti-state.”
If passed, the revision would likely institutionalize judicial decisions on the disbandment of organizations that are found to be enemies of the state.
This move follows the breakup of the leftist United Progressive Party (UPP) by the Constitutional Court late last year that came after months of deliberation.
The report took place before a ruling is due by the highest court regarding former UPP member Lee Seok-ki who was charged with perpetrating acts of sedition.
In a briefing about its plans for 2015 to President Park Geun-hye, the ministry said an early passage of the revision bill is necessary to restrict the activities of anti-state groups or those who benefit the enemy, namely North Korea.
A bill has already been pending at the National Assembly, which aims to allow the court to disband anti-state groups.
The National Security Law revision also seeks to ban rallies and other activities held by these organizations and have the assets of such groups vested by the state.
According to the ministry, anti-state organizations are domestic or international groups that claim the title of the government or cause anti-government uprisings. South Korea regards North Korea as one such organization.
Organizations that benefit the enemy are groups that praise or promote anti-state activities.
The Supreme Court has defined several leftist civic groups as those benefiting the enemy, but there have been no legal grounds to restrict their activities or disband them.
These groups include the South Headquarters of the Pan-National Alliance for Korea’s Reunification and the Solidarity for Practice of the South- North Joint Declaration.
“Revising the National Security Law may be a good way of restriction, as the law stipulates punishment on those organizing or joining such anti-state groups,” the official said.
Currently, the Constitutional Court can disband a political party for anti-state activities, such as the action taken against the UPP last December.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court will make a final ruling for former UPP lawmaker Lee on charges of plotting to overthrow the government in an armed insurrection.
The ministry also plans to prevent the spreading of rumors f rom pro-North Korea websites by dispatching more cyber crime experts to public security departments at the police and prosecution.
The authorities will also take a stern attitude toward illegal demonstrations or strikes. Those using violence against uniformed police officers will be arrested in principle.
The ministry also said it would help children develop a law-abiding spirit through revising school textbooks together with the Ministry of Education.
Textbooks and study materials will focus on examples of daily life rather than definitions of legal concepts, so that children can learn about the law and the Constitution more easily. The examples include conflicts over noise between floors at apartments.
“This year we’ll focus on education on law-abiding for the future generation,” the official said.
The ministry also plans to develop electronic anklets that sense outside factors such as the wearer’s temperature and pulse and sounds such as a victim’s scream i n case of an attack.