Daeum Removes Comment Section... Opinions Divided Ahead of General Election

Did the Ruling Party Acknowledge Portal Bias?
Introduced Chat Window Instead of Comment Section

Portal Daum (Kakao) drew attention on the 8th for revamping its news comment service method. The existing news comment window was changed to a chat format where users exchange real-time conversations.

This measure aims to minimize the side effects of comment sections that have continuously caused problems such as slander and propaganda. While there are positive reactions expecting a reduction in malicious comments, some interpret it as a preemptive move in anticipation of next April's general elections.

The chat space called 'Time Talk,' which Daum prepared instead of the news comment window, allows users to exchange opinions in real time. The previous comment window sorted comments by recommendation order or approval/disapproval order, displaying some comments at the top. However, criticism arose that comments exposed at the top distorted public opinion, and to minimize such side effects, the chat method was newly introduced.

Portal Daum (Kakao) has changed its existing news comment service to a chat format that allows real-time conversations. / Daum capture

Time Talk is characterized by being available only for 24 hours from the time the article is published and disappearing after that time passes. After the Time Talk period ends, neither one's own nor others' posts can be read. The previous service function where comments with many reactions such as 'recommendations' were exposed and written comments remained over time has effectively disappeared.

Daum explained that this is intended to minimize dysfunctions such as users' comments being overrepresented or inappropriate comments not disappearing.

South Korea's largest portal, Naver, also revamped its comment service starting this day. Although it did not remove the comment window itself like Daum, it changed the method to expose part of the ID and nickname of users with restricted comment use, along with their 'usage restriction status.'

Originally, the suspension status was only known to the user, but by making it visible to others, it aimed to expose so-called 'malicious commenters.' Also, all comments written by restricted users until now can be checked by others.

Inside and outside the industry, there is an interpretation that the portals' comment window revamps are preemptive measures ahead of next April's general elections. The ruling party has pressured for revamps by pointing out portal bias and proposing regulatory bills.

Recently, Naver and Kakao have consecutively launched services that allow users to grasp trends, but the ruling party strongly opposed them, claiming they are similar to the abolished 'real-time rising search terms' (silgeom). Park Dae-chul, the Policy Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, criticized on Facebook calling it 'Silgeom Season 2,' warning, "I hope portals do not make the mistake of creating playgrounds for public opinion manipulation and agitation ahead of next year's general elections."

However, among portal users, there are also voices expressing regret over this comment window revamp. Netizens who used Daum's Time Talk showed critical reactions such as "Bring back the comment window" and "Public opinion control."