The government disclosed the revision to the Act on Punishment of Organized Crimes and Control of Crime Proceeds (the anti-terrorism bill) in its entirety on Feb. 27. The main pillar of the bill is the establishment of a “crime for preparing terrorist activities” that punishes people who participate in activities of a syndicated crime organization for planning and preparing to execute a serious crime. There is a real possibility of a crime organization’s involvement in the 277 crimes under the scope of the bill. The government hopes to obtain a cabinet decision on March 10. (Abridged)

Main points of anti-terrorism bill

• The subject of crime will be a crime organization

• Penalties are rendered to those participated in a “serious crime” that is planned by more than two people and for which at least one person has engaged in preparatory activity.

• “Serious crimes” consist of 277 crimes in which involvement of a crime organization is a realistic possibility. These crimes are punishable by more than four years of confinement with or without labor.

• Among “serious crimes,” planning a crime punishable by death or a crime punishable with more than ten years of confinement with or without labor will receive a sentence of “less than five years'” incarceration under the anti-terrorism bill and planning a crime punishable with four to ten years of confinement with or without labor will receive a sentence of “less than two years’” incarceration under the anti-terrorism bill.