Ahn Cheol-soo "Ruling Party's Portal Bill Reminds Me of Jeon Du-hwan Era" vs. Kim Nam-guk "Since When Did I Become a 'Kkangtong Politician'?"

'Portal Algorithm Disclosure' Bill Sparks Debate
Ahn Cheol-soo: "To Make Moon Praise Articles More Visible"
Kim Nam-guk: "Start by Studying Algorithms"

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th of last month, delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Kim Namguk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, responded to Ahn Cheolsoo, leader of the People’s Party, who criticized the so-called 'Portal News Algorithm Disclosure Act' that he proposed, saying, "I don’t know since when you became a 'hollow politician' who neither studies nor has any content."

On the 9th, Kim posted on his Facebook, "The issue of algorithmic bias has been pointed out over the past few years," adding, "There is room for developers’ bias to intervene in the process of building algorithms, and unfair algorithms can be created due to external pressure from companies."

He continued, "In the process of interacting and combining with users’ big data, prejudices may be reflected, resulting in discriminatory 'outcomes,'" explaining, "Algorithms inherently contain various risks by their nature."

Regarding the arrangement of articles on portals, Kim pointed out, "With 70 to 80% of the public consuming news through portals, if algorithms are built in a biased way, our perceptions and thinking will inevitably be thoroughly distorted, making healthy public opinion formation for democracy impossible."

He added, "This is an issue that could make Leader Ahn himself a victim," and said, "Instead of sensationally inciting and opposing, I hope he studies algorithms and joins in institutional considerations to overcome the inherent risks and limitations of algorithms."

Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office audit held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, in October last year. Photo by Yonhap News.

Earlier, on the 4th, Kim announced that he had taken the lead in proposing an amendment to the Newspaper Act that requires a government committee to inspect the criteria for article arrangement on internet portal sites.

The bill includes establishing the News Portal User Committee (the Committee) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which can demand disclosure and verification of the components of portal algorithms. The Committee is composed of three members recommended by the Speaker of the National Assembly in agreement with negotiation groups and six members recommended by organizations designated by the President.

In response, Leader Ahn raised his voice in criticism, saying, "It reminds me of the 'press guidelines' during the Chun Doohwan regime."

On the 9th, Ahn posted on Facebook, "If the bill passes, the government will be able to directly decide the placement of articles praising President Moon Jaein in the most visible positions on portals," and criticized, "I am at a loss for words at how such a childish and anti-democratic idea can be conceived."

He added, "Not only relying on public opinion manipulation forces like Druking, but also controlling the media, they clearly have the absurd delusion that they can maintain long-term rule for a thousand years," and said, "If the Democratic Party’s anti-democratic fantasists pass this bill, reasonable and rational citizens will not just watch silently."