"Fake News is a Malignant Epidemic" Establishing a Whole-Government Response System

"Full Strengthening and Operation of TF Functions and Roles within Ministries"
Installation of 'Fake News Reporting and Consultation Center' Next Month
Enhancing Portal Self-Regulation Functions and Developing Detection Systems

The government has classified fake news as a 'malignant information epidemic' and is taking measures to eradicate it. On the 20th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it will establish a pan-government response system, including a 'Fake News Reporting and Counseling Center.'

Park Bo-gyun, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "Fake news is a malignant information epidemic that incites conflict and discord in our society and destroys trust. Its infectiousness and transmissibility are faster than medical epidemics, and its variants and reprocessed forms are also cunning and persistent." He added, "To prevent disruption and disorder in the information production and distribution market, we will fully strengthen and operate the task force functions and roles within the ministry."

The starting point is the 'Fake News Reporting and Counseling Center' to be established by the Korea Press Foundation early next month. This organization will receive reports of public harm caused by fake news and assist in relief efforts. Through precise and multidimensional fact-checking, it will categorize fake news and systematically collect and disclose related data. It will also relay relevant information to the Korea Press Arbitration Commission to seek solutions.

Fake news related to government policies will also be identified early. Through pan-government cooperation, facts will be quickly verified and responses made. A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official explained, "We plan to use the Korea Policy Briefing's 'The Facts Are Like This' section, KTV's 'Policy Review,' and South Korea's social networking service (SNS) channels to announce accurate facts and engage the public in activities to eradicate fake news."

A cooperation and communication system with the private sector will also be established. While enhancing the self-purification functions of portal sites such as Naver and Daum against fake news, support will be provided for the development of an 'AI Fake News Detection System' by Seoul National University Journalism School and the Think Tank Preparatory Committee. A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official said, "This will create a framework for the healthy development of the journalism ecosystem," adding, "We will create conditions that enable voluntary fact-checking by operating archives and more."