South Korean lawmaker Yoon Jun-byeong proposes tech protection and beach price‑gouging bills

Lawmaker Yoon Jun-byeong of South Korea's Democratic Party announced two legislative initiatives. The first bill seeks to strengthen safeguards for small‑business technologies by introducing higher fines—up to 5 billion won—for large firms that unlawfully appropriate or mimic SME inventions, and by allowing compensation claims that cover research and development costs. The proposal also calls for courts to consider the violator's incurred R&D expenses and imposed penalties when calculating damages.

The second bill targets illegal price‑gouging at public beach facilities. It would mandate that beach operators display usage fees transparently, ban any demand for unauthorized charges, and empower authorities to revoke contracts with operators who exceed municipal fee limits. Inspectors would be granted entry rights to verify compliance, and violators could face contract termination and fines.