A Pretty Wild Law Going Into Effect in About a Month

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·2 months ago

원본 (Korean)

Translation + Context

FT = ForbiddenTome — tap to see Korean slang explained

Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (Short title: Information and Communications Network Act)

[Effective October 1, 2025] [Act No. 21066, October 1, 2025, amended by other acts] View all provisions Q

Article 2 (Definitions) ① The terms used in this Act shall have the following meanings. <Amended January 29, 2004, January 26, 2007, December 21, 2007, June 13, 2008, March 22, 2010, May 28, 2014, June 9, 2020> 1. "Information and Communications Network" means an information and communications system that collects, processes, stores, retrieves, transmits, or receives information by utilizing telecommunications facilities as defined in Article 2, Paragraph 2 of the "Telecommunications Business Act" or by utilizing telecommunications facilities combined with computers and computer technology.

Article 44-7 (Prohibition of Distribution of Illegal Information and False/Manipulated Information, etc.) ① No one shall distribute any illegal information (hereinafter referred to as "illegal information") corresponding to any of the following items through an information and communication network.

1. (Same as current)

2. Information with content that damages the honor of others by openly revealing false facts for the purpose of defaming a person

2-2. Information corresponding to any of the following items regarding a specific individual or group (including individuals belonging to the relevant group; hereinafter the same in this item) on the grounds of race, nationality, region, gender, disability, age, social status, income level, or property status openly: Information that incites direct violence or discrimination, or information that seriously fosters hatred and significantly damages the human dignity of a specific individual or group

A law going into effect July 7th

Amendment to the Information and Communications Network Act

No one shall distribute illegal information through information and communications networks.

But how broadly does South Korean law define "information and communications networks"?

Basically anything you do on a computer or smartphone falls under it.

So to dodge this law, you'd have to use traditional mail or beacon signals to communicate.

But wait—can't you just not post illegal information?

So what exactly counts as "illegal information" under this amendment?

Race, nationality, region, gender, disability, age, social status, income level, or financial condition—you can't directly incite violence against specific individuals or groups based on these factors, OR engage in "discrimination incitement" OR "hate mongering" OR "dignity violation"

In plain English: if someone criticizes or insults you and you feel your dignity is hurt, you're technically covered.

The funny part? They're calling this "illegal false information."

For example, starting July 7th:

Social status → Election officials (public servants), illegal immigrants

Race → Chinese people

Disability → Those subway-blocking people

Gender → That group that's really good at water-based activities

Age → Gen Z

The standards in this law are so vague that if you think through all possible scenarios, you could get nailed for calling a shoplifter a "broke bastard" and getting flagged for violating someone's dignity based on income level. Nobody knows.

We're entering a beautiful world where simply criticizing or insulting someone counts as distributing illegal false information.

Some people say the opposite should be prosecuted too—but will it actually happen? Honestly, who knows.

The real joke is that this law got proposed, passed, and is actually being implemented.

Even more hilarious? Their own friendly media outlets complained about it, so they just exempted the press entirely.

TL;DR—Starting July 7th, the Online Discrimination Prohibition Act kicks in.

17 comments

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So it's illegal by law, and if reported, the judiciary has to prosecute it or that's dereliction of duty.

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The problem is—who decides what's 'disgusting' to look at? What's revolting to you might not be to someone else, and vice versa. Personally I think people who can't even think this way need to stop expressing themselves, but I don't think they should be punished for it. That's what freedom of expression means.

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Why should the state step in and legally punish what's disgusting? Who gave them that right and who gets to decide? Are we guaranteed the person making decisions is always just and uncorrupted? What if there's ambiguity or misunderstanding? After wrongly sending someone to the gallows, then what? You're basically handing rulers a blank check to turn anything into law if it offends them. There's a reason the US founders made sure leaders are always assumed to be corrupt and locked down freedom of expression—so they can't do this kind of thing. What country has a perfect leader who never abuses power?

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Why should the state do it? Let civil law handle it.

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The wild claim that something being disgusting should be a crime.

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These old-timers are only targeting communities that make political noise, and you all are happy about it? Yeah, let's do it. But go into gen communities spouting boomer energy and you get absolutely demolished—especially in Maruchan and Chan boards, they can smell the old-person stench from a mile away.

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Wait, this is actually happening? I thought this was some kind of joke lol 😅

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Just leave it alone. Once power changes hands, everyone forgets who made it and starts calling it a tyrannical law. Like outsourcing and irregular workers.

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The tell on these people: they suddenly go soft and lenient when it's male-bashing, Japan-bashing, 20-something-bashing, Gyeongsan-bashing, Israel-bashing, etc.

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Bruh why is no one talking about this more??? This changes everything

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Lmao seeing these legal forum idiots call this a stupid law makes it pretty damn clear how stupid this law is.

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Is this China? The Communist Party?

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Point 2 clearly states 'publicly false facts' only apply, but these braindead Ilbe bastards just skim that part and act like they didn't read it.

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Fact: this comment is also subject to prosecution.

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Yeah, so starting July are you gonna cry about not being able to write fake rumors and hate posts anymore?