Yang Bum Nam Vows to Completely Block Distribution of Illegal Firearm Manufacturing Information

Proposed Amendments to Information Protection and Telecommunications Business Acts
"Firearm and Explosive Manufacturing Methods and Blueprints to Be Classified as 'Illegal Content'"
Obligation Imposed on Platform Operators to Delete Information and Block Access

Bum Nam Yang, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker.

Yang Bum Nam, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Gwangju Seo-gu-eul), announced on the 13th that he has proposed an amendment to include information such as methods for manufacturing firearms and explosives, as well as blueprints, within the scope of illegal content as defined by the "Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc." and the "Telecommunications Business Act."

On July 20, in an apartment in Incheon, a man killed his son using a homemade firearm he constructed after watching a YouTube video. This incident has once again highlighted the need for thorough control over firearms. More importantly, there have been calls to address the reality that illegal information, such as instructions for making firearms, is being distributed through information networks, and that this can no longer be neglected.

The proposed amendment designates information on firearm manufacturing as illegal content, aiming to fundamentally block the distribution of such information. Specifically, it includes methods for manufacturing firearms and explosives, as well as blueprints, within the category of illegal content, thereby imposing obligations on information and communications service providers to delete such information or block access to it.

If the amendment passes, information and communications service providers such as YouTube will be required to appoint a person responsible for preventing the distribution of such information and to carry out necessary tasks to prevent its dissemination.

The proposed amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act also designates information such as methods for manufacturing firearms and explosives, and blueprints, as illegal content, requiring service providers like YouTube to delete or block access to such information. If these obligations are not met, authorities will be able to impose a fine of up to 3% of the provider's revenue or order suspension or closure of the business, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the system.

Yang emphasized, "Firearms are dangerous means that can take lives and pose a serious threat to society, so the strongest possible measures must be used to regulate them," adding, "Through this legal amendment, I hope that such horrific incidents will never be repeated and that a thorough firearm management environment will be established."