Open Net Hosts “Problems of the Industrial Technology Protection Act and the Way Forward” Seminar at the National Assembly” Seminar at the National Assembly

1. Purpose of Discussion

In August last year, a revision to the Industrial Technology Protection Act (the Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology) was passed at the plenary session of the National Assembly. The law, which aims to protect domestic industrial technology, was passed without a single dissenting vote, thanks to the Japanese trade retaliation atmosphere in Korean society.

Since then, civil society organizations and various media reports have raised concerns that the law will not only infringe on the people’s right to know about the harmfulness of workplaces but also infringe on the environmental rights and the right to life of workers and local residents. Because of this reason, four other environmental safety-related academic societies, including the Korean Industrial Hygiene Association, have announced their request for revision with such concerns. 15 lawmakers who voted for the bill also acknowledged the problems and said they would try to revise them at a press conference. The Industrial Technology Protection Act Task Force, including Open Net Korea, has filed a constitutional complaint to contend the unconstitutionality of the Industrial Technology Protection Act.

With the launch of the 21st National Assembly, conditions have been formed for the revision of the Industrial Technology Protection Act, and various revisions are being initiated. Civil society organizations are also actively expressing their opinions and urging the revision. In response, we are hosting this debate to look back on the meaning and issues of the Industrial Technology Protection Act and discuss what revision is needed.

2. Program

Title: Industrial Technology Protection and Right to Know – Problems of the Industrial Technology Protection Act and the Way Forward

Date: Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 9:40 a.m.

Co-hosted by Rep. Lee Soo-jin (Dongjak), Rep. Lee So-young, Rep. Ryu Ho-jung, National Assembly Life and Safety Forum, and the Industrial Technology Protection Act Task Force

Presentation 1. Problems of the Industrial Technology Protection Act and its revision (Lim Ja-woon – Attorney for Legal Affairs, Banolim)

Presentation 2. The Purpose and Problems of the Industrial Technology Protection Act (Park Kyung-shin – Professor of Law at Korea University, Chairman of Open Net, and Steering Committee of PSPD)

Discussion 1. Why the Industrial Technology Protection Act is unconstitutional (Oh Min-ae – Law Firm Yulip, Attorney of the constitutional complaint for Industrial Technology Protection Act )

Discussion 2. Effects of the Industrial Technology Protection Act on Industrial Health (Choi Sang-joon – Professor of Catholic University Medical School)

Discussion 3. Opinions on Industrial Technology Protection Law and the Revision (Kim Chang-hee – Director of Technical Security Division, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy)

Discussion 4. Opinions on the Industrial Technology Protection Act and the Revision (Department of Industrial Health of the Ministry of Employment and Labor)