Recently, there has been the manipulation of public opinion by specific persons by using a program that automatically repeats a task (hereinafter “macro program”) to place certain news articles on the main page of web portals, stirring up controversy.

Critics point out that the current Act has been ineffective in controlling the manipulation of public opinion in information and communications networks using macro programs since it does not contain provisions to prohibit or punish such acts.

Accordingly, this Amendment prohibits the distortion of public opinion by using a macro program to repeatedly post certain information on a message board or manipulate, etc. the number of views or likes thereof, and prescribes relevant penal provisions, thereby aiming to contribute to the sound formation of public opinion in information and communications networks (Article 48, paragraph 4 newly inserted, etc.).

Prohibit the distortion of public opinion by using a program that automatically repeats a task (hereinafter “macro program”) to repeatedly post certain information on a message board or manipulate the number of views or likes thereof, etc. (Article 48, paragraph 4).