Chairing Session 2 of the Democracy Summit
Global Issue of Fake News Spread Using AI
"Systematic Countermeasures and Publicity Campaigns Needed"
President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the second session of the 3rd Democracy Summit, attending via video conference at the Blue House State Guest House on the 20th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 20th stated, "Democratic countries that share universal values must unite to jointly respond to fake news," urging that if fake news does not cease, a systematic joint anti-propaganda campaign must be launched.
President Yoon made these remarks during his opening address at the second session titled "Technology, Elections, and Fake News" of the 3rd Democracy Summit held at the Blue House State Guesthouse that evening.
He first recalled that the world is facing complex crises such as geopolitical conflicts, climate crises, and food and energy shortages following the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that authoritarianism is on the rise, challenging democracy, and that the advancement of digital and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is causing side effects such as fake news.
President Yoon expressed concern, saying, "New products and services utilizing AI and big data are emerging daily, making our lives increasingly convenient, but at the same time, unexpected side effects are occurring. The indiscriminate spread of fake news and false manipulated information using AI and internet bot technology has become a global problem."
He also criticized, "The organized distribution of fake news by certain forces causes social conflict and division, threatening elections, which are the foundation of democracy. This is a clear provocation against democracy." He particularly pointed out, "This year is a 'super election year' in which one-third of the world's population will vote," and proposed, "Democratic countries that share universal values must unite to jointly respond to fake news."
President Yoon explained that democratic countries should jointly prepare laws and systems to strictly handle fake news and that the international community must cooperate to enforce laws against forces attempting to influence other countries' elections. He also clearly emphasized the need to jointly develop AI and digital systems to detect and eradicate fake news, as well as the importance of technological solidarity and sharing.
President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the second session of the 3rd Democracy Summit, attending via video conference at the Blue House State Guest House on the 20th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon stressed that the promotion of democracy worldwide cannot be achieved by the power of a single country alone, and that South Korea will closely cooperate with governments, international organizations, and private partners from various countries while joining forces with international partners to protect democracy from fake news.
In his closing remarks, President Yoon stated, "I hope we can collectively gather wisdom so that new technologies, including artificial intelligence, serve as a lever to enhance and advance democracy rather than restrict it."
He added, "If democratic countries unite and cooperate in the realms of law, institutions, and science and technology, I am confident that new challenges to democracy, such as fake news, can be sufficiently overcome."
President Yoon promised, "To ensure that our efforts bear valuable fruit, the Republic of Korea will continue to communicate and cooperate closely with the international community and actively support activities at the private sector level."
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