Hello, I am Jun Ji-hye, a reporter at The Korea Times. I primarily cover financial authorities and write articles on a wide range of topics related to finance and capital markets. If you have any information to share, feel free to email me at jjh@koreatimes.co.kr, and I will review it carefully. I am committed to always doing my best to communicate with readers through high-quality articles.
Bipartisan effort underway to fight cyber-bullying
.jpg)
Min Byung-chul
By Jun Ji-hye
By Jun Ji-hye
Like-minded lawmakers joined a campaign encouraging bloggers and Internet users to use appropriate online language and to drive slang and swearing out of online chat rooms and forums. The launch ceremony for the National Assembly Sunfull Committee, formed to promote the work of the Sunfull Movement, will be Friday.
One hundred lawmakers signed up to the campaign to tackle cyber bullying and malicious comments. Sunfull’s aim is for Internet users to post positive and complimentary online messages in forums and blogs.
Lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties teamed up to fight bad language online as cyber bullying has driven some celebrities such as the late actress Choi Jin-sil to commit suicide.
The bipartisan step came days before the campaign, which was initiated by English educator Min Byung-chul, marks its fifth anniversary on Nov. 7.
Min, chairman of the Sunfull Movement Campaign Office, will attend the launch event as a joint promoter.
“The Sunfull Movement has been spread by teachers, students and parents who attempt to promote goodwill messages and say no to badmouthing other people online,” said Min.
“It is great to see politicians join the movement ahead of the presidential election to achieve beautiful politics with positive comments of compliments and encouragement instead of focusing on negative campaigning.”
Min, also a professor of KonKuk University in Seoul, was awarded with a civic medal from the government for his role in promoting Sunfull last year.
Rep. Suh Sang-kee of the Saenuri Party, co-chairman of the new committee, said, “From now on, we will concentrate on policies and vision, and promote beautiful language to our colleagues.”
Another co-chairman, Kim Choon-jin of the Democratic United Party said, “We will lead to creating a better political climate by respecting others’ opinions.”
Famous actor, Ahn Sung-ki, a co-chairman of the Sunfull Movement, and comedian and broadcaster Kim Yong-man are expected to attend the launch event.
The Sunfull Movement was greeted enthusiastically by the public especially after the Constitutional Court ruled in August that the Internet real-name policy was unconstitutional as it could infringe on people’s privacy.
Since then, the government has attempted to strengthen education and promotion regarding online messages by working closely with private sector entities.
The Sunfull campaign began in May 2007 with university students from Min’s classes.
Over 4,000 schools and 100 groups have joined the movement.