Han Byung-do, Acting Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated today (July 7) regarding the implementation of the revised Information and Communications Network Act that it is "a minimal institutional mechanism to prevent the production and distribution of false, manipulated information and to hold those responsible accountable."

During a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that day, the Acting Leader emphasized, "Fake news and false, manipulated information are serious crimes that destroy an individual's life and undermine social trust and democracy."

He stated, "Major developed nations, including Germany and the EU, have already established relevant systems to foster a healthy online ecosystem," adding, "The Democratic Party will do its utmost to support the stable implementation of the revised law and to create a healthy online ecosystem where the public can feel secure."

He further pointed out, "The People Power Party is distorting the facts as if this law were a tool for government censorship," and added, "Prioritizing political strife over facts to fuel public anxiety is by no means the attitude of a responsible political party."

He criticized the opposition, saying, "(The People Power Party) recently called for a parliamentary investigation and a special counsel regarding the mega-project, and now they are saying they should push for a constitutional complaint over a law that goes into effect today," adding, "It is a malicious intent to simply obstruct whatever the Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party do."

Regarding the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which he described as the final piece of the puzzle for prosecution reform, the Acting Leader mentioned, "The complete abolition of (the prosecution's) supplementary investigation rights is a firm and unwavering principle of the Democratic Party, and there is no disagreement within the party," adding, "We will accelerate intensive and substantive discussions with the goal of proposing the amendment within this week."

He added, "There is talk about whether the processing of the amendment should be before Constitution Day or before the national convention, but we will complete it swiftly without being constrained by a specific timeline."

(Photo: Yonhap News)