There is an interesting article at the JoongAng Ilbo about how blogging — along with online speech — has been restricted by the authorities in South Korea in an attempt to control stifle discussion regarding the 2007 presidential campaign. Per one blogger:
. . . I was trying to analyze who Lee Myung-bak is. What I did was research Lee-related news stories and use his quotes to show what kind of person he is, but the Grand National Party accused me of creating election-related content, and I was questioned [by police] for about five hours on November 12.
You can read more of the article here.
9 Comments
It makes you wonder just how ‘independent’ the National Elections Commission (NEC) is…? Since 2004 they changed gears and seem chiefly interested in retarding democracy. They have effectively rigged this election by killing internet debate - which was the deciding factor in the last election. Its a shameful travesty. And the NEC claims to be “strengthening democracy.”
Is it that democracy is being stifled or is the point that the definition of “democracy” is different for those that currently run the South Korean Government? They do not seem to understand it at all.
I add for good measure a quote from the Rodong Shinmun about Western-style democracy (American):
and then there is the liberal South Korean version of the Rodong’s hardcore diatribe that merely focuses upon the nationalistic qualities.
” Harsh censorship by the National Election Commission also discourages many Internet users and bloggers… Under the circumstances, who wants to express his or her opinion on politics? Internet users are not allowed to criticize candidates, therefore it’s hard to find much creative election-related content. The spirit of UCC is meant to criticize or satirize, but if it loses its edge, nobody wants to watch it.” Yoon Young-tae, - Democratic Labor Party
#2 The answer rests more in Korea’s definition of “citizenry” - as a mass of mindless drones, incapable of discernment and independent thought - and thus easily swayed by forceful opinion-holders. That is how the NEC treats Koreans - like imbecilic children that need to be shielded.
I doubt this ban on election blogging will be around for the next election without some serious changes. Korean blog readerships (the ones that can speak a foreign language, at least) will just turn to foreign blogs for their election news. Once the ROK government realizes that censoring their own internal media merely encourages its citizenry to turn to the foreign media to be influenced, perhaps they’ll have second thoughts.
Actually, repressing online discussion would have a negative effect upon alleged conservatives such as Hanara because Koreans will resent such and will use it as an excuse to vote against them. Additionally, this will have the same effect as banning books on Communism did in the 70’s here in Korea. It will push young people towards the forbidden fruit of “anything-but-Hanara”.
Considering such, Hanara is preparing the future for its own eventual demise.
Look what happened after that dang guy went on the internet talking about politics!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21.....4#22303434
I would like to know exactly what the rules are for discussing politics online. Surely Korean langage blogs hosted outside of Korea are beyond the reach of the NEC (unless they can prove that the post originated inside the country).
Six years in Korea and I still can’t get my mind around the politics. For example, the presidential candidates can opt to go through the primaries and be backed by their party through the election, but once elected, the president is supposed to be “neutral.” I think that’s what Roh got in trouble for a couple years back, right? Kind of seems like buying a prize bull and then castrating him.
If a president can’t actively support the mandate of those who elected him, then it seems the democratic exercise tomorrow is a waste of time.
Rather ridiculous laws, IMO.
It’s less than 6 hours till polls open, and my wife still doesn’t know how she’ll vote. I told her to just vote for the guy with the highest IQ.
I also don’t fully understand the legal boundaries of discusing politics online — not that it matters this close to the election.
> I told her to just vote for the guy with the highest IQ.
Yeah, Hur with 430… He’d be the most entertaining Prez!
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[...] do, I will subject myself to ridicule by posting my prediction of the final results. BTW, if any NEC officials are reading this, I am not saying what should happen, just what I think will [...]
[...] do, I will subject myself to ridicule by posting my prediction of the final results. BTW, if any NEC officials are reading this, I am not saying what should happen, just what I think will [...]