On December 3rd, as the fear of martial law resurged, the Korean Communication Standard Committee(KCSC), chaired by Ryu Hee-rim, enforced a decision to delete the website advocating for President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment. This website, created by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), allowed citizens to exercise their freedom of expression by sending text messages to lawmakers to support the impeachment. KCSC cited alleged legal violations, including privacy breaches and obstruction of public duties, as justification for the deletion.
Ryu Hee-rim controversially labeled citizens’ text messages to lawmakers as “text terrorism” and claimed these messages influenced political decisions. Critics argued that the interpretation of privacy laws was flawed, as lawmakers willingly publicized their contact information for public communication. Blocking these messages infringed upon the public’s right to express dissent.
Civil Societies denounced the KCSC’s actions as aligning with the martial law proclamation’s censorship measures, which sought to suppress free speech, media, and public opinion under the guise of preventing “fake news” and “propaganda.” This censorship reflects complicity with President Yoon’s alleged authoritarian actions.
We also criticize the ruling party for hypocrisy, pointing out their own mass texting practices during elections. The decision to delete the impeachment advocacy website was seen as shielding President Yoon from accountability.
We demand Ryu Hee-rim’s immediate resignation, accusing him of transforming the KCSC into a tool of martial law-like repression. His actions, including suppressing whistleblowers and undermining freedom of expression, have made his position untenable.
Signatories
Activists group for Human Rights BARAM
Center for Media Responsibility and Human Rights
Cultural Action
Human Rights Movement Space ‘Hwal’
Korean Progressive Network Jinbonet
National Union of Media Workers,
South Korean NGOs Coalition for Law Enforcement Watch
Open Net Korea
People’s Coalition for Media Reform
Post BlackList
The Center for Freedom of Information
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