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Lee calls for review of punitive measures against online hate speech
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By
Anna J. Park
Published
May 24, 2026 2:13 pm
KST
President Lee Jae Myung delivers a congratulatory speech at a ceremony marking Buddha’s Birthday at Jogyesa Temple in central Seoul, Sunday. Joint Press Corps
President Lee Jae Myung has called for a policy review of tougher punitive measures against online and offline hate speech and hateful behavior, targeting far-right websites accused of promoting or enabling such behavior.
Lee made the suggestion on X, formerly Twitter, Sunday, while sharing a news report saying that young people believed to be users of the far-right online community Ilbe had visited Bongha Village, the hometown of former President Roh Moo-hyun, during a memorial ceremony for Roh on Saturday and allegedly behaved in provocative and mocking ways. The village, located in South Gyeongsang Province, is where Roh lived after leaving office.
According to the news report, which cited an online post by a lawyer who serves as a board member of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, around 50 young people entered the memorial hall in the village and took photos while wearing Ilbe-related T-shirts and making hand gestures associated with the community.
Ilbe has sparked numerous controversies over content considered offensive or derogatory toward political figures, social groups and victims of national tragedies. The platform has repeatedly drawn public backlash for allegedly fostering hate speech and social division.
“Two views coexist regarding whether activities promoting social division and conflict through mockery and insults, such as those associated with Ilbe, should be protected under freedom of expression or be subject to sanctions, including punishment,” Lee wrote on X.
“It seems public discussion and policy reviews are necessary on whether to introduce punishment and fines for mockery and hate expressions, as well as the closure of websites like Ilbe which encourage or tolerate such activities,” he wrote. “I will also instruct the Cabinet to examine this issue. What are your thoughts on this?”
Even prior to the incident, the president has signaled a tougher stance against expressions perceived as mocking democratic movements and national tragedies.
Earlier last week, he sharply criticized Starbucks Korea over a controversy surrounding a “Tank Day” promotional event many regarded as disparaging the May 18, 1980 Gwangju Uprising, when military vehicles were mobilized to suppress pro-democracy protesters.
On Saturday, he also slammed Starbucks Korea over a 2024 event that promoted the “Siren Classic Mug” collection on April 16, the anniversary of the Sewol ferry sinking — one of the nation's deadliest disasters involving more than 300 deaths, most of them high school students. Although the logo of the coffeehouse chain is a siren, he criticized the company for holding the event "on the anniversary."
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