President Lee Jae-myung on the 24th said he would consider strong sanctions, including shutting down online sites that fuel social conflict through hate and mockery—such as the far-right online community "Ilgan Best Archive (Ilbe)."
On X (formerly Twitter) that day, Lee said, "It seems necessary to open a public discussion and conduct an actual review, under strict conditions, of allowing needed measures such as punishment for mockery and hate speech, punitive damages, and the shutdown of sites like Ilbe that tolerate and encourage mockery and hate, as well as punitive damages and a penalty surcharge."
He also shared a news report that a visitor believed to be an Ilbe user engaged in mocking behavior at the ceremony marking the 17th anniversary of former President Roh Moo-hyun's death held in Bongha Village the previous day.
Lee wrote, "There are competing claims that activities like Ilbe's, which foment social division and conflict through mockery and insult, should be protected as freedom of expression, and that sanctions including punishment are necessary," adding, "There was also controversy over shutting down Ilbe."
He then raised the idea of opening a public discussion on measures such as punishment, punitive damages, site shutdowns, and a penalty surcharge, saying, "I will also instruct the Cabinet meeting," and asked, "What are your thoughts?"