Defamatory Posts Targeting An Junggeun, Yu Gwansun, and Kim Gu Spread on TikTok
Seo Kyungduk: "Difficult to Apply Insult Laws to the Deceased"
As the 107th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement approaches, controversy is mounting as content mocking independence activists continues to spread across social networking services (SNS).
Photo mocking activist Ahn Junggeun and praising Ito Hirobumi. Screenshot from Professor Seo Kyungduk's SNS
Recently, on TikTok, videos and photos mocking activist Yu Gwansun and Kim Gu have circulated, and it has been confirmed that even defamatory posts targeting photos of An Junggeun have been uploaded.
On February 28, Professor Seo Kyungduk of Sungshin Women's University raised the issue by sharing related cases on his SNS. He stated, "Many netizens have reported this," and added, "A photo of An Junggeun posted on TikTok was mocked with comments like, 'His face is really ugly, my eyes are hurting.'"
While the post included derogatory remarks about An Junggeun's appearance, it was reported that a photo of Hirobumi Ito, whom An assassinated, was uploaded with phrases praising him, such as, "Wow, he looks so serious and dignified, he is a god."
A video created with artificial intelligence (AI) mocking activist Yu Gwan-sun has recently been uploaded to TikTok, sparking controversy. TikTok
Additionally, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) video mocking Yu Gwansun and an image ridiculing Kim Gu have also spread online, drawing criticism. As content mocking symbolic figures of the independence movement continues to surface ahead of the March 1 anniversary, concerns are growing over a lack of historical awareness.
Professor Seo pointed out, "It is regrettable that such incidents are occurring just before the March 1 anniversary." He also shared the views of legal experts, explaining that it is difficult to pursue criminal charges against malicious posts. He said, "The crime of insult does not apply to the deceased."
He further mentioned that defamation of the deceased is only established if false information is specified, which means the requirements are stricter than those for general defamation.
Professor Seo emphasized, "For now, the most important thing is to actively report malicious content so that the videos cannot be exposed," and urged people to immediately report such content if they come across it again.
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