A total of 17 non-controversial bills, including a revision of the 'Veterans Affairs and Establishment of Organizations Act' that stipulates the payment of living support funds to the spouses of deceased veterans, passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 27th.
On this day, the National Assembly voted on the 'Veterans Affairs Act' revision during the plenary session, passing it with 167 votes in favor out of 167 present. The revision had previously passed the National Policy Committee by consensus between the ruling and opposition parties at the end of last month. However, on this day, the People Power Party boycotted the vote in protest against the rejection of its candidate for the National Human Rights Commission.
The revision focuses on expanding the scope of benefits by including the spouses of veterans as subjects of the law. The current law only provides benefits to veterans themselves. The living support fund stipulates that 100,000 won will be provided monthly to veterans aged over 80 who have a household income of 50% or less of the median standard income, or to their spouses in the event of the veteran's death.
However, the Minister of Veterans Affairs may exclude veterans' spouses from eligibility if they fall under certain conditions (such as remarriage or criminal activity). Once this revision is enacted, spouses of veterans who have already passed away before the law takes effect will also be able to apply for the living support fund. The effective date will be six months after the law is promulgated.
A revision of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which restricts the use of mobile phones and smart devices by students during classes, has also passed the National Assembly. This revision aims to legally regulate the use of smart devices by students in schools to protect their right to learn and normalize educational activities. In light of the serious issue of SNS and smartphone addiction among youth, the legislation reflects the trend of restricting in-school use in other countries. However, mobile phone use will be permitted for educational purposes or in emergencies.
In addition, the following bills were passed: ▲ a revision of the 'Korea Development Bank Act' to increase the authorized capital from the current 30 trillion won to 45 trillion won and establish a fund for advanced strategic industries; ▲ a revision of the 'Capital Market and Financial Investment Business Act' to introduce public funds that focus investment on high-growth ventures and innovative companies; ▲ a revision of the 'Management and Reclamation of Tidelands Act' to enhance the restoration of occupied and used tidal lands.