[Anchor]
The People Power Party has reiterated its claim that the revised Information and Communications Network Act, which takes effect today (July 7), is an "evil law that gags online speech." The party has officially announced plans to file a constitutional complaint and propose a full revision of the act as a party platform. In response to the People Power Party's stance, the Democratic Party retorted that it is a "malicious intent to obstruct everything unconditionally," adding that they will work to ensure the stable implementation of the law.
Reporter Son Hyeong-an has the story.
[Reporter]
At the People Power Party's floor leadership meeting this morning.
Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sik defined the revised Information and Communications Network Act, which goes into effect today, as an "evil gag law."
He expressed concern that the biggest problem is that "the state directly determines and punishes what is true or false, and what constitutes hate speech," adding that "labels of hate will be issued indiscriminately based on the interests and whims of those in power."
Floor Leader Jeong further stated, "The gag law will make witch-hunt-style violence a daily occurrence and create a social atmosphere of fear and silence," announcing that the party will file a constitutional complaint and propose a full revision as a party platform.
[Jeong Jeom-sik/Floor Leader, People Power Party: The 'gag law' is an evil law. And it is unconstitutional. We will file for a constitutional court review. We will also push for a full revision as a party platform to remove the poisonous clauses.]
The Democratic Party countered that the revised Information and Communications Network Act is a minimal institutional mechanism designed to prevent the production and distribution of false, manipulated information and to hold those responsible accountable.
Floor Leader Han Byung-do criticized the People Power Party for distorting the facts, noting that advanced European nations have also established similar systems to foster a healthy online ecosystem.
[Han Byung-do/Floor Leader, Democratic Party: Where in this bill is there any gagging or dictatorship? Nevertheless, the People Power Party is distorting the facts as if this law were a censorship tool for the government.]
Regarding the People Power Party's plan to file a constitutional complaint, Floor Leader Han stated, "It is a malicious intent to unconditionally obstruct whatever the government and the ruling party do," and added that they would do their best to ensure the stable implementation of the revised law.
(Reported by Lee Seung-hwan and Shin Dong-hwan | Video by Won Hyeong-hee)
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