National Assembly to Process Occupational Safety and Health Act at Plenary Session... Urban Regeneration Act Deferred for Further Discussion

Over 60 Bills to Be Addressed at Plenary Session
Attention on Potential OSHA Filibuster by People Power Party

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), which allows authorities to impose a fine of up to 5% of operating profit on companies where three or more workers have died on the job within the past year, is set to be brought before the plenary session of the National Assembly.

The National Assembly plenary session on the 17th. 2026.09.17 Photo by Dongju Yoon

On October 1, the National Assembly will convene its plenary session to process more than 60 bills, including those that have passed the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, such as the OSHA bill. Lee Juhee, floor spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters, "The ruling and opposition parties have reached an agreement on the over 60 bills, excluding the OSHA amendment." However, the People Power Party has reportedly requested further discussion to apply a cap of 5 billion KRW on the fines. Lee added, "There are only a few companies to which this bill applies and we cannot postpone legislation aimed at protecting workers, so the bill will be processed even if there is opposition or a debate."

Previously, Chun Junho, senior deputy floor leader for the Democratic Party, stated at the party’s policy coordination meeting, "The Democratic Party is committed to allowing sufficient debate without forcibly ending a filibuster." In other words, if the People Power Party proceeds with a filibuster, the Democratic Party will not forcibly end it, but the bill will still be processed without fail.

Meanwhile, the Urban Regeneration Act, which was also expected to be processed, will have its deliberation deferred. Bok Giwang, the Democratic Party’s secretary of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, said in a phone interview with The Asia Business Daily, "It appears the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul Metropolitan Government have decided to allow more time for dialogue."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.