Joeunsan "Telling Ahn Cheol-soo to study algorithms... Kim Nam-guk, study law instead"

Kim Nam-guk, member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Commentator Joeunsan criticized Kim Namguk, a lawyer-turned-lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, saying, "It seems you don't know the law well," and urged him to "study law a bit."

Earlier, when Ahn Cheolsoo, leader of the People’s Party, expressed a critical stance on the so-called 'Portal News Algorithm Disclosure Act' recently proposed by Rep. Kim, Kim retorted by telling Ahn to "study algorithms." Ahn is also the developer of the computer antivirus program V3.

On the 10th, Joeunsan posted on his blog, "Telling Ahn, the developer of the V3 antivirus and founder of AhnLab, to study algorithms is like telling Professor Seo Min to study parasites. It’s like explaining the principles of supply and demand to Rep. Yoon Heesook, who holds a PhD in economics from Columbia University," targeting Rep. Kim.

He also criticized the Portal News Algorithm Disclosure Act, saying, "Isn’t this idea about turning Naver into a Ddanzi Ilbo?" and questioned, "Is the reason for the existence of the state to impose obligations on the private sector through extensive state power and suppress freedom through coercion and censorship?"

He continued, "Article 37 of the Constitution clearly states the limits of legislation against the basic rights of the people: 'All freedoms and rights of the people may be restricted by law only when necessary for national security, maintenance of order, or public welfare, and even then, the essential content of freedom and rights shall not be infringed.' So, Rep. Kim Namguk! Study law a bit. What did you major in that you lack even this basic legal knowledge?" he sarcastically remarked.

A post by Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, uploaded on Facebook on the 9th, telling Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, to "study algorithms." / Photo by Kim Nam-guk

Earlier, on the 9th, Ahn criticized the Portal News Algorithm Disclosure Act, saying, "It reminds me of the press guidelines during the Chun Doohwan regime," and added, "I am at a loss for words at how someone can come up with such a childish and anti-democratic idea."

In response, Rep. Kim called Ahn "a politician who neither studies nor has any substance," and pointed out, "Instead of sensationally inciting and opposing, study the algorithm."

Meanwhile, on the 4th, Rep. Kim introduced a bill to amend the Press Act, which requires a government committee to inspect the criteria for article arrangement on internet portal sites. The bill includes provisions to establish a News Portal User Committee under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which can request disclosure and verification of the components of portal algorithms.