SPECIAL ACT ON INVESTIGATING THE TRUTH OF SOCIAL DISASTERS AND BUILDING A SAFE SOCIETY

CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1(Purpose) #

The purpose of this Act is, in relation to the Humidifier Disinfectant Case and the April 16 Sewol Ferry Disaster, to build and establish a safe society by investigating the truth about the causes of such Disasters, the procedures followed, subsequent measures taken, etc.; identifying those responsible therefor; providing support for sufferers; and formulating a plan to prevent and respond to accidents and disasters.

Article 2(Definitions) #

The terms used in this Act are defined as follows:

1. The term "Humidifier Disinfectant Case" means a series of incidents that caused the deaths of a number of victims and harm to the health of a number of sufferers, such as pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary injury, or respiratory disease, due to exposure to humidifier disinfectants containing toxic chemicals;

2. The term "April 16 Sewol Ferry Disaster" means the incident that caused a number of victims and sufferers following the sinking of the Sewol Ferry on April 16, 2014, in the Korean Peninsula Ocean near Jodo-Myeon, Jindo-Gun, Jeollanam-Do;

3. The term "victim" means any of the following persons:

(a) Any person who deceased among victims of humidifier disinfectants defined in subparagraph 4 of Article 2 of the Special Act on Remedy for Damage Caused by Humidifier Disinfectants;

(b) Any person who deceased aboard the Sewol Ferry at the time the April 16 Sewol Ferry Disaster occurred or is still missing;

4. The term "sufferer" means any of the following persons:

(a) Any person who suffered harm to his/her health among victims of humidifier disinfectants defined in subparagraph 4 of Article 2 of the Special Act on Remedy for Damage Caused by Humidifier Disinfectants;

(b) Any person, other than victims, who was aboard the Sewol Ferry at the time the April 16 Sewol Ferry Disaster occurred (excluding those who, as a crew member of the Sewol Ferry, abandoned the Sewol Ferry without taking necessary action to rescue passengers);

SPECIAL ACT ON INVESTIGATING THE TRUTH OF SOCIAL DISASTERS AND BUILDING A SAFE SOCIETY

Article 1(Purpose) #

Article 2(Definitions) #

Article 3(Establishment of Special Investigation Commission on Humidifier Disinfectant Case and April 16 Sewol Ferry Disaster) #

Article 4(Independence of Commission) #

Article 5(Duties of Board) #

Article 6(Composition of Commission) #

Article 7(Term of Activities of Commission and Report to National Assembly) #

Article 8(Duties of Chairperson) #

Article 9(Members’ Independence in Performing Duties and Guarantee of Status) #

Article 10(Prohibition of Members from Holding Concurrent Offices) #

Article 11(Grounds for Disqualification of Members) #

Article 12(Exclusion of, Challenge to, and Refrainment by, Members) #

Article 13(Proceedings of Meetings and Quorum to Adopt Resolutions) #

Article 14(Disclosure of Proceedings) #

Article 15(Maximum Number of Commission Staff) #

Article 16(Establishment of Subcommittees) #

Article 17(Establishment of Advisory Board) #

Article 18(Establishment of Secretariat) #

Article 19(Guarantee of Status of Staff Members) #

Article 20(Disciplinary Committee) #

Article 21(Dispatch of Public Officials) #

Article 22(Investigations to Ascertain Truth) #

Article 23(Application for Investigations) #

Article 24(Decision of Rejection) #

Article 25(Commencement of Investigations) #

Article 26(Methods for Conducting Investigations) #

Article 27(Summons to Appear Before Commission) #

Article 27-2(Request for Search and Seizure Warrant) #

Article 28(Filing Accusations and Requesting Investigations) #

Article 29(Period of Investigations and Trial) #

Article 30(Requesting Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea to Audit) #

Article 30-2(Interruption of Prescription of Prosecution) #

Article 31(Holding Hearings) #

Article 32(Support from the State) #

Article 33(Requesting Attendance of Witnesses) #

Article 34(Obligations of Witnesses to Attend) #

Article 35(Oath by Witnesses) #

Article 36(Protection of Witnesses) #

Article 37(Verification) #

Article 38(Requesting National Assembly to Adopt Resolution for Appointing Independent Prosecutor) #

Article 39(Cooperation between Commission and Independent Prosecutor) #

Article 40(Obligations of State Agencies to Cooperate) #

Article 41(Delegation and Entrustment of Duties) #

Article 42(Duty to Maintain Confidentiality) #

Article 43(Prohibition of Misrepresentation) #

Article 44(Protection of Activities of Commission) #

Article 45(Protection of Persons subject to Investigation) #

Article 46(Transport Expenses and Travel Expenses) #

Article 47(Exemption from Liability Following Disclosure) #

Article 48(Preparation and Submission of Comprehensive Report) #

Article 49(Establishment of Archives and Records Administration Team) #

Article 49-2(Measures concerning Archives of Social Disasters) #

Article 50(Period of Existence of Secretariat) #

Article 51(Interrogation) #

Article 52(Preparation of Reports) #

Article 53(Substitution for Interrogation Report) #

Article 54(Request for Attendance) #

Article 55(Penalty Provisions) #

Article 56(Administrative Fines) #