Lee Jae-myung issues a stern warning against hate speech
According to multiple South Korean media outlets including Yonhap News Agency and the Korea Daily, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung proposed on the 24th that punitive measures be introduced under strict conditions for mocking and hate speech, including closing down or fining extreme right-wing websites in South Korea. He emphasized the need for discussion and feasibility studies on this matter. The report mentioned that inappropriate behavior, including insults toward the deceased, occurred at the memorial ceremony for the late former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun.
On May 24 local time, Lee Jae-myung shared a report from the Korea Daily about Cho Soo-jin (translated name), a board member of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, on his social media platform X, and made the above comments. The report stated that Cho Soo-jin posted that on the 23rd, during the 17th anniversary memorial service for Roh Moo-hyun, some young people suspected of being members of the extreme right-wing online forum "Daily Best Storage" (shortened as "Daeja") wore T-shirts with relevant slogans, took photos throughout the Roh Moo-hyun Memorial Hall in Geumhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do's Jeongyong-eup Bonghae Village, and made mocking gestures symbolizing "Daeja." Cho Soo-jin described this incident as "a serious event she learned about after the memorial service ended."
The report noted that "Daeja" has long been controversial for creating and spreading mocking and insulting remarks and images regarding Roh Moo-hyun.
Lee Jae-myung said that there are two opposing views within South Korean society regarding such behavior by "Daeja" members—some argue it should be protected as freedom of speech, while others believe it is necessary to impose sanctions, including penalties. There have also been previous debates over shutting down "Daeja." Lee stressed that it is essential to introduce punishment and compensatory damages for mockery and hate speech under strict conditions, and to take measures such as closure or fines against websites that tolerate and promote such behavior.
Roh Moo-hyun served as President of South Korea from 2003 to 2008. In February 2008, he resigned from office and returned to his hometown of Bonghae Village. After stepping down, he was investigated for alleged bribery and ultimately died by suicide on May 23, 2009.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866177968833546/
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