South Korea
Over the years, the growing sophistication and dynamism of the Internet
in South Korea have also raised concerns of its power to spread harmful
slander and information. In response,
the South Korean government is
authorized through an expansive regulatory framework to exercise significant discretion over ‘‘illegal’’ Internet
content and ‘‘harmful’’ material for
youth. In addition to rigorously regulating providers, government agencies also
enforce real-name registration requirements for participation in Internet services
and closely monitor election-related online activities.
Background
The Republic of Korea (also known as South Korea) was established in 1948 and spent
most of its first four decades under authoritarian rule. In 1987, after a massive protest
movement, the government enacted a democratic constitution that has endured to
this day. Overall, South Korea’s human rights record has steadily and markedly
improved since the 1990s. Since that time, South Korea has become one of the most
RESULTS AT A GLANCE
Filtering
No Evidence
of Filtering
Suspected
Filtering
Selective
Filtering
Substantial
Filtering
Pervasive
Filtering
Political
Social
Conflict and security
Internet tools
Other Factors
Low
Medium
High
Not
Applicable
Transparency
Consistency
Over the years, the growing sophistication and dynamism of the Internet
in South Korea have also raised concerns of its power to spread harmful
slander and information. In response,
the South Korean government is
authorized through an expansive regulatory framework to exercise significant discretion over ‘‘illegal’’ Internet
content and ‘‘harmful’’ material for
youth. In addition to rigorously regulating providers, government agencies also
enforce real-name registration requirements for participation in Internet services
and closely monitor election-related online activities.
Background
The Republic of Korea (also known as South Korea) was established in 1948 and spent
most of its first four decades under authoritarian rule. In 1987, after a massive protest
movement, the government enacted a democratic constitution that has endured to
this day. Overall, South Korea’s human rights record has steadily and markedly
improved since the 1990s. Since that time, South Korea has become one of the most
RESULTS AT A GLANCE
Filtering
No Evidence
of Filtering
Suspected
Filtering
Selective
Filtering
Substantial
Filtering
Pervasive
Filtering
Political
Social
Conflict and security
Internet tools
Other Factors
Low
Medium
High
Not
Applicable
Transparency
Consistency