Opposition Party Pushes for 'Combating False Information Act'

The opposition party is pushing for the enactment of the 'Combating False and Fabricated Information Act,' sparking intense debate over the bill's content and scope. Despite criticism that the bill could infringe on freedom of expression, the opposition party has stated its intention to push ahead with its passage, raising concerns about political gridlock. The bill stipulates that if damages occur to another party due to the distribution of illegal or false/fabricated information, the responsible party can be held liable for up to five times the amount of the damages. This is interpreted as an effort to strengthen accountability for the indiscriminate spread of false information online. In particular, if information deemed illegal, false, or fabricated by a court ruling is repeatedly distributed, the Korea Communications Commission can impose a fine of up to 1 billion won on the distributor. The fine provision is intended to prevent the negative impact of false information distribution and raise awareness about information distribution. People Power Party Representative Choi Hyung-doo strongly criticized the bill as 'dictatorial legislation that suppresses the people's freedom of expression' prior to the vote at the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee on December 10, expressing his opposition. Representative Choi argued that the bill's vague standards and excessive punishment provisions could be abused. "This bill is an attempt to silence the government's critical media and civic groups, and to control online public opinion," Choi claimed, raising concerns that the bill could be used as a means for the government to censor and control information that does not suit its tastes. The Democratic Party of Korea maintains a firm stance that it will submit and process the bill, along with the 'Special Court for Insurrection Act,' to the plenary session between December 21 and 24, after deliberation and resolution by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. This appears to demonstrate a determination to urgently resolve social confusion caused by false information through the passage of the bill.

An official from the Democratic Party of Korea emphasized that "the passage of the bill is urgent to prevent social damage caused by fake news and false information, and to create a healthy public discourse." He argued that the bill is an unavoidable choice for the benefit of society as a whole, appealing for support for the bill. However, concerns about the bill are also high. There is persistent criticism that the criteria for judging false information are vague and that the government and ruling party can arbitrarily interpret it to suppress critical public opinion. Concerns have also been raised that the scope of the bill is too broad, and that even healthy criticism or satire could be punished. Some analysts suggest that if the bill is implemented, expressing critical opinions of the government itself could be discouraged. This is a serious problem as it could severely undermine freedom of expression, which is the foundation of a democratic society. With sharply conflicting views on the bill, fierce debate is expected in the future National Assembly deliberations regarding the bill's content and scope. Attention is focused on the final form of the bill and its impact on society. Meanwhile, following this bill's push, there is a growing recognition of the need to raise social awareness of false information and fake news, and to make multifaceted efforts to create a healthy information ecosystem. The need to cultivate critical thinking skills among information users and strengthen media literacy education is being raised.