Rep. Kim Jang-yeop, unlimited debate on the Broadcasting Culture Promotion Act. People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jang-yeop is holding an unlimited debate on a partial amendment to the Broadcasting Culture Promotion Act at the National Assembly plenary session on August 5. Yonhap News

The People Power Party's Policy Committee and Rep. Kim Jang-yeop's office held a policy forum on the 'Legislation for the Online Connection Country Display System' at the National Assembly on the 24th, and discussed the necessity of introducing a system to prevent damages such as opinion manipulation and illegal phishing.

In his opening remarks, Rep. Kim said, "The online connection country display system is a rational system that allows consumers to make their own judgments by providing connection country information," adding, "It can achieve the gains of defending the value of freedom of expression, protecting users, preventing crime, and restoring trust in the public opinion ecosystem."

Rep. Na Kyung-won emphasized, "If people who are not Korean citizens (through foreign IPs, etc.) sway public opinion on the internet, proper public opinion cannot be formed," and stated, "The connection country display system is the first step for Korean citizens to obtain accurate information. I hope the related bill will be passed."

Kim Eun-young, a professor at the Department of Police Science, Catholic Kwandong University, who presented the main topic, explained the tendency for cyber comment manipulation and scam crimes to be used as part of 'cognitive warfare' in recent international conflicts, pointing out, "Legislative discussions on the connection country display system are no longer an option, but a necessity."

Yoon Min-woo, a professor at the Department of Police and Security Studies, Gachon University, who was a panelist, also argued for the necessity of introducing the connection country display system, citing the trend of foreign intelligence agencies conducting information gathering and espionage activities through social media.

Lawyer Uhm Ja-hye, addressing concerns that the system might stifle freedom of expression, explained, "This is intended to assist users' rational judgment by providing background information, not by revealing the identity of the speaker or controlling their expression," and added, "Unlike the internet real-name system, it is far from having a structural chilling effect on expression."