[사회]”I’ll Catch Fake News” … Expanding the Punitive Damage Compensation System

[앵커]

The ‘punitive damages’ system is called the punitive damages system which pays compensation far greater than the actual amount of damages for malicious illegal activities.

Korea is already implementing it in some fields, and the government has decided to follow a plan to expand and introduce it in all fields.

When the law review is complete, punitive damages for malicious fake news are possible.

This is reporter Lee Jong-won.

[기자] [문재인 / 대통령 (지난 22일) : 방역을 저해하는 가짜뉴스도 여전히 기승을 부리고 있습니다. 우리 사회를 또다시 위험에 빠뜨린다면 어떤 관용도 기대할 수 없을 것입니다.]

President Moon Jae-in, who mentioned this in recent statements by a state council, noted in a written interview with the Association of Journalists on the same day that “some media feel like a political party.”

This is a passage that shows the distrust of some established media, as well as the spread of false news on social networks.

When asked about concerns about introducing a punitive damages system for media companies, President Moon avoided an immediate response and said he believes sufficient discussion will take place in the National Assembly.

However, the next day, the government’s legislative initiative became official.

The Ministry of Justice decided to stipulate the ‘punitive system of compensation for damages’, which was individually contained in some laws, in the Commercial Law, and to announce the legislative reform to the Commercial Law on the 28th.

The punitive damage compensation system is a system that recognizes liability for compensation in excess of the actual amount of damages for antisocial misconduct, and is currently only introduced in some areas.

If the amendment passes through the National Assembly as is, the issue will be extended to all areas and liability for damages can be withheld up to five times the actual amount of damages.

In the past, deliberate illegal activities such as disinfectant humidifiers were the main targets, but malicious fake news may also be covered.

An official from the Ministry of Justice explained that in the case of commercial activities, as well as a media company, which is a corporation under the Commercial Law, the subject of the act can be held liable for compensation.

Recently, former Justice Minister Cho Kook has repeatedly filed damages lawsuits against media companies for reports related to the family, emphasizing the need to introduce related systems.

Of course, even if the Commerce Act is amended, the punitive damage compensation system does not apply to illegal acts that occurred before the amendment.

The Justice Ministry said its purpose is to hold accountable for illegal acts that seek private interests through fake news, but the concern that it could be abused as a media control tool is a task that must be resolved.

This is YTN Jongwon Lee.

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