Ijin-sook, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, said on the 14th, 'If the social media (SNS) that citizens use a lot, like KakaoTalk, makes anyone feel even a little intimidated, it would be like bringing down one of the great pillars of democracy.'
In response to a question from People Power Party member Choi Su-jin during the government's questioning session at the National Assembly, asking for opinions on what he described as the Democratic Party's media censorship by saying, 'If we spread fake news related to inciting rebellion through KakaoTalk, we will report it,' the Chairperson replied in this manner.
The Chairperson stated, 'KakaoTalk is a means of communication used by almost all citizens, just like Naver Line and other communication tools.'
He also pointed out, 'If the Democratic Party does not have such censorship in mind, declaring for sure that "there is no KakaoTalk censorship" might make citizens trust more.'
Additionally, the Chairperson also had a verbal clash with Choi Min-hee, a member of the Democratic Party who chairs the National Assembly's Science and Technology Information Broadcasting and Communications Committee.
In response to a question from People Power Party member Choi Su-jin, who asked 'Are you aware that support for President Yoon Seok-yeol is increasing among the 20s and 30s?' the Chairperson replied, 'I learned about it from the news.'
He also pointed out, 'If calling the 20s and 30s who attend the Gwanghwamun rallies extreme right-wingers, it attempts to label a significant portion of our citizens as extreme right and is a very dangerous idea.'
The Chairperson remarked, 'If that is the case, the Democratic Party member saying, 'If the non-Lee Jae-myung faction moves, I will gather all the supporters and kill them,' will be the extreme left.'
This targeted a comment made by the member in a media interview after the 1st trial ruling on the Public Official Election Act against Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung last November.
In response, the member requested a personal statement, arguing, 'This is the first time I've seen a government official specifically target another member in the questioning process and criticize them as a talking point.'
The member protested, 'Do not use terms like extreme right or extreme left casually,' stating, 'Because of extreme right fascism and Nazism, 80 to 90 million people have died. The Stalin regime and the Chinese Cultural Revolution—that is extreme left. Why are you labeling me with extreme left behind my name?' and members from the opposition shouted, 'A government official who tells lies should be dealt with firmly.'
Both sides also clashed over the expression '12·3 rebellion.'
The Chairperson had previously stated on the 23rd of last month at the press room of the Korea Communications Commission that 'the expression 12·3 rebellion is incorrect.'
He responded, 'Since the legal procedures are still ongoing, it is more accurate to say '12·3 martial law,' and saying it is a 12·3 rebellion is inaccurate. As a media senior, I am saying this.' To this, the member retorted, 'You issued a guidance and abused power.'