"Solving the Problem of Spreading Malicious Content for Profit"
Cho Seunghwan, a member of the National Assembly from the People Power Party (representing Jung and Yeongdo Districts in Busan), proposed a partial amendment to the “Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc.” on the 30th to prevent cyber Rekka crimes.
Under the current law, those who defame others by publicly revealing facts through information and communications networks for the purpose of slander may be sentenced to imprisonment for up to three years or fined up to 30 million KRW. Those who cause similar harm by publicly revealing false information may be sentenced to imprisonment for up to seven years, disqualification for up to ten years, or a fine of up to 50 million KRW.
However, even when such crimes are recognized, most offenders only receive minor fines, and there are many cases where perpetrators gain significant profits by posting sensational information. This has led to criticism that the current law is effectively condoning “cyber Rekka” crimes.
According to Cho’s office, the proposed amendment seeks to fundamentally block the root causes of “cyber Rekka” crimes by increasing the maximum fine for defamation on information and communications networks to 100 million KRW, and by allowing the confiscation of any goods or profits obtained in connection with the offense if the defendant is found guilty.
Cho stated, “The problem of ‘cyber Rekka,’ where extreme defamation and insult are inflicted for profit and commercial purposes by inciting hatred, is becoming increasingly severe,” and added, “Since the root cause of this crime is profit-making, we will make every effort to thoroughly prevent it so that no more people, like Tzuyang, become victims.”
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