Republic of Korea: Communications Secrets Protection Act (Bill No. 2203054, Partial Amendment) was introduced in National Assembly

On 21 August 2024, the Partial Amendment to the Communications Secrets Protection Act (Bill No. 2203054) was introduced in the National Assembly during the 417th session of the 22nd legislative term. The amendment proposed to strengthen legal oversight of government access to communications data by codifying in statute the conditions under which the Minister of Science and ICT must revoke approval for wiretapping equipment. A new provision, Article 10(5), was introduced to require revocation where approval was obtained through false or improper means, with written notice to the affected party. The legislative intent was to elevate the legal basis for such revocations from Presidential Decree to primary law, in response to concerns that regulation of rights-intrusive administrative acts via subordinate legislation violated the principle of legal reservation.