On Jul. 22, 2026, the Network for Freedom of Expression Against Hate and Censorship (Article 21 Net), a civil society coalition dedicated to defending the freedom of assembly, the press, and expression guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, submitted an opinion to the KCSC (Korea Communications Standards Commission).
Under the amended Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, online "hate speech" was defined as illegal information, with reviews taking effect on July 7, 2026.
While supporting the legislative intent to protect the human rights of social minorities, Article 21 Net submitted an opinion paper to the review commission regarding review standards and operational frameworks. The coalition stressed that administrative reviews must safeguard freedom of expression, ensure predictability, and follow procedural justice based on the following principles:
Align with Minority Protection: Regulation must focus on expressions that justify discrimination and exclusion or deny equal rights, rather than simple ridicule, personal offense, or controversial opinions. It should not be used to suppress minority voices or protect majority comfort.
Establish Clear, Predictable Standards: Vague statutory terms must be clarified through concrete manuals aligned with the National Human Rights Commission and international standards. Reviews must consider context, intent, and real-world impact rather than mechanistically filtering specific words.
Ensure Expertise and Transparency: Form an advisory/review body of human rights, legal, and media experts; guarantee appeal processes for users and service providers; and publicly disclose review criteria, rationales, and case precedents.
Continuous Institutional Improvement: Regularly analyze case history, update manuals, and incorporate feedback from experts and civil society.
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