Why Everyone Is Talking About the Deadline for Public Comments on New Life Safety Regulations

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has opened a 15-day public comment period for draft regulations under the Basic Act on Life Safety, with submissions due by October 9.

What happened

Fact Box

• Announcing Agency: Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS)
• Announcement Date: September 23, 2026, at 10:00 AM [1]
• Public Comment Period: 15 days
• Submission Deadline: October 9, 2026 [1]
• Proposed Subject: Draft Ordinance to Implement the Basic Act on Life Safety

Why it matters

Under Korean administrative law, government agencies must follow a public notice procedure before enacting regulations that affect citizens' rights, obligations, or daily lives. This specific step is mandated by Article 15 of the Rules on Operation of Legislation Affairs. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety released these draft regulations to clarify specific standards and procedures required by the Basic Act on Life Safety. While the article does not specify the exact reason for choosing this timing, the process ensures that public opinions are gathered before the final rules are promulgated as an administrative rule after passing through the legislative framework.

The numbers

Calculation: The deadline is calculated by adding the 15-day comment period to the announcement date of September 23, 2026. The Ministry explicitly stated this results in a deadline of October 9.

Fact-check

Claim: The public comment period is exactly 15 days.

Verdict: TRUE — The Ministry of the Interior and Safety set the period at 15 days for a fair procedure [1].

Claim: Citizens can submit opinions until October 9, 2026.

Verdict: TRUE — The deadline is explicitly listed as October 9, 2026 in the Ministry's press release [1].

Claim: The regulations will immediately change safety inspection standards for high-risk facilities.

Verdict: UNVERIFIED — While the article states that standards could become stricter once the draft is finalized, it does not confirm if immediate changes occur upon announcement or if specific facility types are targeted yet.

What's next

• Next Step: The Ministry of the Interior and Safety will review collected opinions during the 15-day period.
• Expected Outcome: A revised draft reflecting public feedback will be prepared for final promulgation by the Ministry.
• Timeline: The specific date for the final promulgation has not yet been confirmed [1].
• Process: After the comment period, the regulations must be finalized as an administrative rule following the legislative process.

Sources

1. ｢생명안전기본법 시행령｣ 제정안 입법예고 — 행정안전부 보도자료
2. 입법예고 — Wikipedia (ko)