Opposition Policy Committee Chair: "Naver Algorithm Intervention Suspicion, Truth of External Pressure by Specific Forces Must Be Revealed"

Park Dae-chul, the Policy Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, recently stated on the 2nd regarding suspicions of artificial intervention in Naver's news search algorithm, "We must thoroughly investigate whether there was external pressure from certain forces or manipulation of weighting."

On the same day, through his Facebook, Chairman Park wrote, "Suspicions of artificial manipulation of Naver's news algorithm have surfaced, and the Korea Communications Commission is said to be conducting an urgent fact-finding inspection on whether there was a violation of prohibited acts under the Telecommunications Business Act. It is better late than never."

He continued, "This should be taken as an opportunity to resolve the unfair controversy related to portal news algorithms," adding, "It is the way to erase the disgrace of the previous administration’s Korea Communications Commission, which had degenerated into a tool for broadcasting control."

Naver operates a review committee for its AI-based portal news algorithm that recommends news according to user consumption patterns. During this process, there are suspicions that popularity indicators of media outlets were artificially applied, causing certain media companies to be highlighted or disadvantaged.

Chairman Park said, "There is little disagreement that one of the main culprits fueling conflicts in our society is the algorithm," and strongly criticized, "The algorithm has become a 'tool of the devil.' It is a 'hookgorithm' that attracts extreme fandoms."

He added, "The algorithm is exacerbating the harmful effects of confining and radicalizing the public into camps. Conservatives are pulled further conservative, and progressives further progressive," and said, "The 'confirmation bias,' where one believes their worldview is more correct, deepens the divide, and demonizing those with different perspectives has become commonplace."

He emphasized, "If such an algorithm is unfair even in its production process, the damage is incalculable," and stated, "(In addition to fact-finding investigations,) if necessary, investigative authorities should also conduct investigations. They must investigate strictly and punish without exception if illegalities are found."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.