The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on June 5 that it awarded the "2026 Second Special Achievement Award" to individuals who contributed to the enactment of the "Life Safety Basic Act" and the "Serious Crime Investigation Agency Organization and Operation Act" (Serious Crime Act) at the Government Sejong Center.
The special achievement award was introduced this year following President Lee Jae-myung's directive to provide exceptional rewards for outstanding civil servants. This marks the second round of awards, following the first distribution in March.
Each team that contributed to the legislative success of the "Life Safety Basic Act" and the "Serious Crime Act" received a special achievement award of 20 million won.
The "Life Safety Basic Act" clarifies the responsibilities of the state and local governments while establishing a framework for life safety policy implementation at the national level. The law aims to enhance national accountability in preventing, responding to, and recovering from disasters and accidents, thereby institutionally guaranteeing citizens' right to safety. It is set to take effect in November following approval at a Cabinet meeting in May.
The Safety Policy Division's Legal Team, which oversaw the legislation, visited the National Assembly numerous times and collaborated with civic groups to facilitate the drafting and passage of the bill. The Disaster Safety Investigation Division's Investigation Policy Team established a framework for an "independent permanent investigation body" to investigate disaster causes and prevent recurrence.
The Serious Crime Investigation Agency Establishment Support Team was recognized for its efforts in promoting the enactment of the "Serious Crime Act," which separates investigation and prosecution for the first time in 78 years, and for establishing a preparatory committee to prevent investigative gaps and protect citizens' rights.
Additionally, the Legal Affairs Team and the National Assembly Team from the Planning and Finance Division were included in the award recipients for their contributions throughout the legislative process in various National Assembly committees and the plenary session.
Minister Yoon Ho-jung presented the awards and cash prizes to the civil servants on that day.
Minister Yoon stated, "The 'Life Safety Basic Act' and 'Serious Crime Act' are important institutional foundations for protecting citizens' lives and safety and safeguarding human rights. I appreciate the dedication of the employees who committed themselves to the legislative process despite the challenging circumstances."
He added, "We will continue to promote a performance-oriented organizational culture that allows for special rewards and encouragement for policy achievements that citizens can feel."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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