[Right to Know Infringement Task Force][Parliamentary Forum] Yoon Seok-yeol government’s Attempt to Legalize Information Concealment: Issues and Tasks of the Revision of the Officla Information Disclosure Act

On November 11, 2024, the Civil Society Organizations Network held a parliamentary forum titled “Yoon Seok-yeol government’s Attempt to legalize information concealment: issues and tasks of the revision of the Officla Information Disclosure Act” The event, co-hosted with the National Assembly Citizens’ Political Forum, focused on the concerns surrounding the proposed amendments, which allegedly infringe on citizens’ right to information and raise constitutional issues.

Key concerns include:

1. Infringement on the Right to Information: The amendment introduces ambiguous standards like “unreasonable or socially excessive demands,” enabling arbitrary interpretations and potentially curbing legitimate information requests. Critics fear this could become a tool to limit public access to government-held information.
2. Constitutional Issues: The proposed law could violate the constitutional right to information, a fundamental democratic principle. Experts highlighted that the amendment lacks clarity and proportionality, potentially enabling misuse of power to deny information access.
3. Impact on Transparency and Accountability: Examples were presented showing how existing practices already hinder transparency, with public institutions frequently rejecting or limiting disclosures. Concerns were raised that the amendment could exacerbate these issues, undermining efforts to hold government entities accountable.
4. Alternative Solutions: Experts proposed strengthening institutional accountability and providing legal and mental health support for public officials, rather than restricting access to information under the guise of protecting them from excessive requests.

The forum featured in-depth discussions with civil society leaders, lawmakers, and experts, who emphasized the importance of transparency and citizen oversight in a democratic society. They urged amendments to focus on ensuring accountability and protecting citizens’ rights rather than limiting access to information. The civil society coalition plans to continue advocating for a more open and transparent government information system.

Korean version text