Heo Chul-hoon, secretary general of the National Election Commission, answers questions at the National Assembly on Feb. 23. Yonhap

Another piece of legislation widely viewed as an attempt to silence critics is nearing approval at the National Assembly, just weeks after controversy erupted over the so-called Network Act, which calls for punitive damages against media outlets accused of spreading fake news.

This time, the target is individuals who raise suspicions about absentee voting or the vote count announced by the National Election Commission. If the proposed amendment to the Referendum Act passes the National Assembly, violators could face up to 10 years in prison.

Critics have derided the measure as a “Shut-up Act,” arguing that it is inherently repressive.

The amendment, sponsored by two lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), Reps. Kim Young-bae and Kwon Chil-seung, along with seven co-sponsors, cleared the National Assembly’s Interior and Safety Committee on Feb. 23. It was then sent to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee for final review before being put to a plenary vote. The judiciary committee approved it the same day.

The revised bill will be put to a vote when the plenary session opens. The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) has opposed the measure. Nevertheless, given the DPK’s majority control of the Assembly, its........

© The Korea Times