[Joint Statement] Condemns the KCSC for which censors sitire contents that cause social disruption

On February 18, the KCSC held an emergency review and blocked two satirical videos mocking President Yoon Suk-yeol, citing the reason for “causing social disorder.” We, the Article 21 Net, condemn this decision as unconstitutional and anti-democratic political censorship that infringes the citizens’ freedom of political expression.

The first video is a fictional satirical animation showing Yoon and his wife in jail, using face composites. It’s not a deepfake nor misleading content. The second is a parody edited from real footage, showing a fake declaration by Yoon claiming to be a “monster destroying liberal democracy,” including fake scenes of him drinking beer and smoking. It’s clearly fictional and includes a disclaimer that it is AI-generated and not real.

We argue that satire does not fall under the category of “defamation” or “disorderly content,” and blocking such works is unjustified. We also criticize the vague and arbitrary standards by the KCSC, particularly the clause about “causing social disorder,” as overly broad and prone to abuse, making it likely unconstitutional.

Ultimately, we claim that by censoring political satire, the KCSC is essentially equating the president with the state and suppressing dissent under the guise of protecting public order. We strongly assert that the real source of social disorder is this undemocratic censorship, and demand an immediate end to such unconstitutional political reviews.

Signatories

Activist group for Human Rights BARAM

Center for media responsibility & human rights

Cultural Action

Disability Discrimination Act of Solidarity in Korea

Human Rights Movement Space ‘Hwal’

Korean Disability Forum

Korean Progressive Network Jinbonet

National Union of Media Workers

Open Net Korea

People’s Coalition for Media Reform

Post BlackList

Seoul Disability Rights Film Festival

Seoul Human Rights Film Festival

Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination

South Korean NGOs Coalition for Law Enforcement Watch

The Center for Freedom of Information

* The ‘Network for Freedom of Expression Against Hatred and Censorship (abbreviated as Article 21 Net)’ is a coalition of 16 human rights and media organizations in Korea working to promote freedom of the press and expression.

Korean version text