By Park Ju-won
In the movie “The Lives of Others,” German secret agents tap every conversation between the two main characters without any obstacles. According to a revised bill for the Communication Privacy Protection Law proposed by Rep. Joo Han-sung, a member of the Grand National Party, this will become a reality in South Korea.
The current law, added in 1993, prohibits any tapping of electronic devices, censoring of mail, or access to phone records without court approval. It bans the illegal recording of or listening to phone conversations. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) is given authority to carry out these activities only in cases of national security. Also, when a government organization receives the protected information, they have to notify the person involved about the requested information and which organization requested it within 30 days.
The proposed bill lengthens that time from 30 days to 60 days. Also, the new law will require designated phone companies to acquire tapping instruments and to offer private information for on-going investigations. The NIS, therefore, will have direct access to recorded conversations and other private information. Additionally, the power to attach a GPS tracker to your car gives the government knowledge of your whereabouts. This newly proposed law stirs up numerous political and human rights issues.
According to Joo, this law is supposed to update Korea’s technological environment, protect against terrorists and limit crime. There’s no promise that this new law will be effective. Also, the violation of human rights is an unavoidable consequence _ the use of GPS tracking devices clearly violates these. In a Special Senator Consultative Meeting held at the National Assembly on the Aug. 31, Joo stated that all advanced countries are revising their privacy protection laws in the same way as he proposes. This is a false statement. Recently, Austria sought to revise their privacy protection law but was met with harsh criticism and numerous dissenting votes. Now, Austrian law prohibits the recording of conversations whether by telephone or other methods. Also Austrian federal legislation prohibits the tapping of telephone conversations.
Former President George W. Bush illegally ordered the wire-tapping of US citizens’ phone conversations, with the cooperation of phone companies. Later, this was legalized by the passing of a bill. All phone companies who participated can’t be prosecuted or held responsible. Even though this “phone-tapping law” might become a reality, President Lee Myung-bak’s administration will not be safe from severe criticism, and the disappointment that once clouded the Bush administration.
Park Ju-won is Korea Times Global Student Reporter. She can be reached at pjw7109@gmail.com.