Malicious Comments Haunt Celebrities Even After Death
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Malicious online comments sometimes drive celebrities to drastic measures, and in a worst-case scenario, suicide, and won't even leave them in peace even after death.
Naver, one of the nation's largest portals, Tuesday banned Internet users from writing comments on articles about the late actor Ahn Jae-hwan, following a flood of negative and malicious comments posted on its Web site.
At the end of each news article about Ahn, Naver has put a notice: ``We restrict writing comments on this article, as it is feared that they may seriously damage his privacy, or defame him. We seek your understanding.''
Naver said comments about Ahn went beyond a tolerable level. ``There was no request from the bereaved family of Ahn for the restriction, but we made our own decision to do so,'' an official of the portal company said.
After Ahn was found dead of an apparent suicide Monday, most bloggers posted condolatory comments. However, some defamed him and his wife, comedian Jung Sun-hee, and spread rumors about their relationship and his business.
Not only news portals but also Ahn's personal blog was under attack. Some people even left comments arousing curiosity, so that other users would visit their blogs so that these could be selected as ``most-hit''.
Some of Ahn's friends say malicious online comments may be a part of reason that drove him to his death. In May, when his wife made a negative comment about the anti-American beef rallies on her radio show, Internet users denounced her and him, too, boycotting cosmetic products which the couple sold, and worsening Ahn's financial difficulty, they said.
Police say that those writing malicious comments can be charged with libel or defamation of the deceased, which is subject to up to two year in prison or 5 million won in fines.
``We can start an investigation only when the victim or the family reports it,'' a police officer said.
Ahn is only the latest case ― such negative comments have repeated whenever celebrities die, including actress Jeong Da-bin, comedian Kim Hyung-eun, and actor Lee Eon.
``Freedom of speech should be guaranteed. However, negative comments and groundless rumors on the Internet are like a gun, and they devastate the victims,'' said Min Byoung-chul, head of Sunfull Movement, an NGO promoting positive comments. Min stressed the importance of education about online etiquette. ``Malicious comments are no less than assaults and onlookers are abettors.''