Expanded espionage law marks step in right direction
The expanded Criminal Act, which now covers espionage activities benefiting other foreign countries or entities beyond North Korea, took effect on Sunday. The amendment was approved by the National Assembly on Feb. 26, decades after a revision of the law was first proposed. Before the revision, offenses under the law only covered the collection of intelligence or classified information for North…
A revised Criminal Code, effective Sunday, now extends penalties to espionage activities benefiting foreign entities beyond North Korea. This amendment, approved by the National Assembly in February, comes decades after the initial proposal. Previously, the law only criminalized intelligence gathering for North Korea, with offenders facing severe consequences, including the death penalty.
Consequently, individuals engaged in such activities on behalf of third nations could evade prosecution under the old law. The updated legislation now targets those who collect sensitive information related to national security and share it with agents of other countries. This overdue change is crucial as nations engage in hybrid warfare, striving to increase their power while countering foreign influence.
Although the change was long overdue, it could have been introduced sooner if not for political disagreements hindering the legislative process.
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- Expanded espionage law marks step in right direction koreatimes.co.kr
