◀ Anchor ▶
Hong Kong’s version of the National Security Act, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for anti-government acts, came into effect today.
In particular, it contains provisions stating that collusion with foreign powers will be severely punished.
Because the details are unclear, there are concerns that people may inadvertently break the law when traveling to Hong Kong.
This is reporter Hyunji Kim.
◀ Report ▶
Newspapers are spread on a street stall in Hong Kong.
Every front page of the newspaper says, ‘Article 23 of the Basic Law, which was passed unanimously, will come into force on March 23.’
Article 23 of the Basic Law is the ‘Hong Kong Version of the National Security Law’.
It is an appendix to the National Security Act, which was enacted in the wake of large-scale anti-government protests in 2019, and has strengthened punishment for anti-government acts.
The new National Security Act was passed unanimously on the 19th, about 10 days after it was introduced, and came into effect today.
[레지나 입/홍콩 행정회의 의장]
“We will be more prosperous and safer in the future. This bill is for everyone.”
The new security law punishes national division, terrorist activities, as well as collusion with foreign forces as security crimes.
In particular, colluding with external police forces can lead to up to 14 years in prison, and spreading false or misleading information together with foreign police forces can lead to up to 10 years in prison.
Foreign forces refer to foreign governments and political parties, international organizations, foreign organizations pursuing political goals, and organizations and individuals associated with them.
When the National Security Act was passed, concerns arose in all countries that punishment could be interpreted arbitrarily.
[베단트 파텔/미국 국무부 수석부대변인]
“I think a lot of the language and the offenses that are set out in the clause are not precisely defined and they are incredibly vague.”
The Australian government also issued a travel advisory, saying, “The provisions can be interpreted broadly, so travelers may inadvertently break the law.”
Foreign companies operating in Hong Kong have also begun to withdraw out of concern that a conflict will be as serious as those in mainland China.
[사이먼 카트리지/홍콩 기반 리서치 회사 설립자]
“Hong Kong will now operate in a very different way in terms of how people behave, what they can say and think.”
There are warnings that enforcement of the security law will reduce Hong Kong’s social freedoms and undermine its status as an ‘Asian financial centre.’
This is Hyunji Kim from MBC News.
Video Editing: Min Kyung-tae
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