Information Society Watch

November 3, 2006, BBC News Service

South Korea has made significant progress with many forms of digital technology. After the 1988 Olympics, Koreans suddenly found themselves with a resource providing access to free speech, anonymously. A downside, though, is an increasing cyber violence phenomenon with 'online mobs' demonising those they disagree with and spreading around the victim's personal information. Authorities are looking to curb this by putting in place a new law that will force Koreans to reveal their name and ID numbers before they share their opinions online. However, some are skeptical that this tactic will put an end to the harrassment, and assert that some internet (ab)users should be cut off all together.

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