Korea’s National Assembly on Thursday passed a controversial amendment to the Criminal Act, known as the “law distortion” bill, driven by the majority-holding ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). The measure is one of three flagship judicial reform initiatives the party has pledged to advance. The new provision criminalizes the intentional misapplication of the law by judges and prosecutors in ongoing criminal trials or investigations to unlawfully benefit or harm a party. Those convicted face penalties of up to 10 years in prison and suspension from office for the same period. The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) fiercely opposed the bill, launching a filibuster on Wednesday and denouncing it as a “malicious law” that would undermine the judicial system. After 24 hours of debate, however, the DPK and other pro-government lawmakers voted to end the filibuster and moved forward with its passage. After passing the Legislation and Judiciary Committee earlier this week, the original draft drew significant pushback, with opponents arguing that it violates the constitutio