Hate speech has become a game; platform regulation and anti-discrimination laws are needed

A South Korean newspaper editorial is calling for stricter measures against hate speech and mockery, arguing that such behavior has become normalized and is deeply embedded in daily life. The commentary highlights recent incidents, including alleged 'hate play' by users of the far-right online community Ilbe at a memorial for former President Roh Moo-hyun, and Starbucks Korea's controversial 'Siren Classic Mug' event coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster.

President Lee Jae-myung has suggested the need for public discussion and actual review of measures like punitive damages and the closure of sites that condone or promote mockery and hate speech. The editorial frames Starbucks' event as a 'social patricide' that undermines the foundations of the community by targeting victims of state violence and major disasters. It also warns that such actions trivialize the systemic issues that led to state violence and disasters, and dilute the state's responsibility for public safety.

The article acknowledges the difficulty in regulating these acts, as they often manifest as 'play' through slang and memes without direct violence. It proposes that platforms should voluntarily participate in regulation with detailed guidelines, and that stronger measures are needed for those who profit from inciting hate and mockery. The editorial concludes by urging the current controversy to serve as a catalyst for enacting an anti-discrimination law, emphasizing that protecting the rights of the most vulnerable, including minorities like people with disabilities, immigrants, and homosexuals, will ultimately diminish the space for extremist forces.

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There seems to be a need for public discussion and actual review on allowing necessary measures such as punishment and punitive damages for expressions of mockery and hate under strict conditions, closure of sites that neglect or promote mockery and hate like Ilgan Sports (Ilbe), punitive damages, and fines.