Science Committee Subcommittee Passes Ruling Party-Led Bill on Punitive Damages for False Information

The National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee passed a bill in the Legislation Review Subcommittee that imposes up to five times the amount of damages for the malicious dissemination of false or manipulated information.

Yonhap News Agency

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On December 10, at the National Assembly in Yeouido, the Information and Communications Broadcasting Legislation Review Subcommittee of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee approved an amendment to the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (Information and Communications Network Act) containing these provisions. This bill stipulates that if someone intentionally and deliberately distributes illegal or false information that infringes upon the legal interests of others or the public, they may be held liable for damages up to five times the amount recognized.

Media organizations argued that the right to claim punitive damages should be restricted for those in positions of power, such as politicians, public officials, executives of large corporations, and major shareholders. However, this was not accepted. Instead, a special provision was introduced to allow courts to dismiss excessive claims for damages at an early stage, as a measure to prevent strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP).

The Information and Communications Network Act failed to pass the subcommittee on December 8 due to opposition from the Rebuilding Korea Party, but it was approved on this day following a change in the party’s stance. The subcommittee consists of five members from the Democratic Party, four from the People Power Party, and one from the Rebuilding Korea Party. Since the Democratic Party alone does not constitute a majority, it is difficult for them to pass bills without support from other parties.

Lee Haemin, a member of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee from the Rebuilding Korea Party, met with reporters after the meeting and stated, "False and manipulated news must be eradicated. We discussed this issue because the bill should not become a tool for those in power, and the Democratic Party proposed the special provision on strategic lawsuits, which we accepted." He explained this as the reason for the change in the party’s position.

The People Power Party expressed its opposition. Choi Hyungdoo, the opposition secretary of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee from the People Power Party, told reporters immediately after the subcommittee meeting, "This legislative action by the Lee Jaemyung administration and the Democratic Party is deeply concerning, as it would significantly undermine the principles of a free press and a democratic civil society. We will stand with the people in opposition."

At 4 p.m. that day, the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee plans to convene a full committee meeting to vote on the Information and Communications Network Act.

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