The U.S. State Department expressed concern about a “diplomatic disaster from the beginning of the new year.”
“Recognized as a diplomatic and trade risk… The affected people will bear the burden.”
At a press conference held at the National Assembly this morning, floor leader Song Eon-seok said, “Since the beginning of the new year, there has been a diplomatic catastrophe that has undermined the national reputation and national interests of the Republic of Korea.” He added, “The U.S. State Department has officially expressed serious concerns about the Information and Communications Network Act, saying it weakens freedom of expression and has a negative impact on U.S.-based platform-based businesses.”
Floor leader Song criticized, saying, “This situation is entirely attributable to the Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party,” and added, “Despite the strong opposition of media groups, academia, and civil society, saying it was a silo for the media, the Democratic Party turned a deaf ear to criticism and unilaterally pushed for legislation.”
Floor Leader Song said, “Fortunately, there is still time left until the law goes into effect,” and argued, “The unconstitutional amendment to the Information and Communications Network Act must be reinstated even now.”
He added, “The People Power Party will quickly prepare and propose an amendment to remove toxic provisions that block the people’s mouths.”
Members of the National Assembly’s Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee under the People’s Power Party also held a press conference on the same day and emphasized, “Trying to restrict freedom of expression means touching the tripwire of democracy, so the international community and civil society have no choice but to be sensitive.”
They said, “It is unthinkable in an advanced democratic country to target editorials and columns for counter-argument and corrective information,” and added, “Where on earth did the Democratic Party get the content that our civil society media organizations oppose?”
Chief Spokesperson Park Seong-hoon also issued a comment on the same day and expressed concern, saying, “The fact that the U.S. government immediately raised questions about an ally’s already passed law is a clear signal that it perceives this issue as a diplomatic and trade risk, not just domestic legislation.”
Chief Spokesperson Park warned, “One hasty piece of legislation buried in domestic political logic is destroying the frame of ‘diplomatic genius Lee Jae-myung’ who has been misleading the public by exaggerating diplomatic achievements without substance,” adding, “The more this law is pushed, the more the people and our economy will bear the brunt of the damage.”
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