Were Pro-North Websites Ignored?

The Ministry of Information and Communication was under fire in the Science, Technology, Information & Telecommunication Committee’s inspection of the administration on October 13 as an impact of North Korea’s nuclear test. Opposition party lawmakers denounced the Ministry for taking no measures against pro-North Korea websites.

GNP lawmaker Shim Jae-yeop pointed out, “There are thousands of writings in praise of North Korea and its nuclear test on the web. The Ministry did not use its right to order deletion even once for the past three years and eight months.”

He added, “From 2003 until this August, the number of problematic writings the National Intelligence Service and the National Police Agency asked the Ministry to delete amounts to 9,248. Is it due to Cheong Wa Dae’s request or because the Ministry is “leftist” that the minister did not use the right to order deletion as prescribed by the Telecommunication Business Act?”

Another GNP lawmaker Jeon Yeo-ok also said, “The Ministry gave up putting related law into effect against pro-North Korea writings on the web and was just watching the spread of pro-North Korea ideologies through the Internet.”

The Minister of Information and Communication Roh Joon-hyung responded, “There was no request from Cheong Wa Dae, and I am responsible for whatever charge is made. We are reviewing related law to tighten the control of pro-North Korea writings on the web.”

Those pro-North Korea writings on the web include not only praises of “militarism” and “great leader,” but also arguments such as “North Korea’s nuclear test was necessary for peace.”

mikemoon@donga.com