South Korea Establishes New Division to Combat Fake News

South Korea's Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) has created a new department to address the enforcement of fake news regulations.

The 'Information Integrity Policy Division' was elevated from a team to a full division under the Broadcasting and Communications User Policy Bureau. This move aims to bolster the KCSC's capacity to manage the revised Information and Communications Network Act, which took effect on July 7.

The division will inherit the responsibilities of the former team, focusing on policy development and system operation for combating disinformation. Its mandate includes designating and managing large-scale information and communications service providers, requesting data, conducting investigations and supervision, and imposing fines and penalties as stipulated by the revised law.

The amended act imposes obligations on online platforms of a certain size to prevent the distribution of false and manipulated information. It mandates the establishment of fact-checking systems, transparency reporting, and self-regulatory policies for combating disinformation.

The KCSC anticipates that formalizing the department will enhance the coherence and expertise of its operations, from policy formulation to the supervision of major platforms. The commission also plans to establish a 'Telecommunications Service Transparency Center' to support fact-checking organizations, manage databases, conduct research and education, and foster international cooperation in combating disinformation.

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The Information Integrity Policy Division was a team that operated independently until now. After coordinating with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on organizational structure, it was converted into a formal division, and the work remains the same. This is to enhance operational stability.