Politics · South Korea · 4 hrs ago
32 domestic violence bills remain stalled in South Korea’s National Assembly
After a series of deadly domestic violence cases in South Korea, police are considering stronger ways to separate and monitor people accused of abuse.
All 32 proposed law changes are stalled in the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
They include proposals for electronic tracking, detention in police custody in some cases, and criminal penalties for breaching emergency orders.
Similar measures failed to pass in earlier parliamentary terms, and one related bill passed this year to penalize people who obstruct police investigations.
Experts say the law’s stated aim of restoring family stability can make officials hesitant to intervene strongly or punish offenders.
They argue victim safety should come first, with stronger criminal accountability and support for housing, living costs, treatment and independence.
A lawmaker has proposed a special committee to discuss domestic and intimate-partner violence measures, but the stalled bills still need parliamentary action.
Thirty-two amendments to South Korea’s Domestic Violence Punishment Act remain pending in the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
Sixteen bills are at the committee review stage, while 16 remain at the filing stage.
Many include measures to isolate or monitor alleged abusers, such as electronic monitoring and detention.
Police are considering stronger protections after recent domestic violence killings, while experts say victim safety should take priority over preserving families.
The law’s stated purpose still includes restoring family peace and stability, a provision experts have criticized.
- Who
- South Korea’s National Assembly, particularly its Legislation and Judiciary Committee, has the 32 bills pending.
- What
- Thirty-two amendments to the Domestic Violence Punishment Act remain stalled. They include proposals to strengthen measures for isolating and monitoring abusers.
- When
- The bills were introduced during the 22nd National Assembly. The article reported their pending status on October 17, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea’s National Assembly in Seoul.
- Why
- The article says the committee has been occupied by contentious issues, including prosecution reform. It also reports that experts want stronger victim protections and changes to the law’s focus on family preservation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
An amendment to the Domestic Violence Prevention Act increasing penalties for refusing or evading police field investigations passed the National Assembly.
A man accused of killing his mother-in-law and abducting his wife was transferred to Songpa Police Station; police had arrested him in Yangyang after seven hours.
National Assembly Vice Speaker Nam In-soon proposed a resolution to form a special committee to discuss measures against intimate partner violence.
The National Assembly bill information system showed 32 amendments to the Domestic Violence Punishment Act pending in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
- Pending bills
- 32 amendments to the Domestic Violence Punishment Act
- Committee review stage
- 16 bills
- Filing stage
- 16 bills
- Previous legislatures
- Similar measures were pursued in the 20th and 21st National Assemblies but did not pass the plenary session
- Law’s stated purpose
- Includes restoring family peace and stability and protecting the human rights of victims and family members
- Special committee proposal
- Filed by National Assembly Vice Speaker Nam In-soon on October 15, 2026
1 source
What people are saying
Legal amendments are needed to quickly isolate high-risk abusers and effectively protect victims.
The part that makes maintaining the family a goal should be removed.
The law should set out the principles of holding serious and habitual perpetrators effectively criminally responsible and supporting victims with housing, livelihoods, treatment and independence.