President Lee Jae-myung called for national unity and ordered a review into the potential closure of the Ilbe website on Sunday [1].
The move signals a tightening of government oversight regarding online hate speech and digital harassment. The directive follows a surge of controversy surrounding posts on the Ilbe site that mocked the late former President Roh Moo-hyun [1].
Lee spoke during a celebratory Buddhist ceremony held at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul on May 24 [1]. The event marked the Buddha's Birthday in the Buddhist year 2,570 [2]. During his address, the president emphasized the role of spiritual guidance in overcoming national division and healing public pain [1].
"Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by compassion," Lee said [1]. He said that the teachings of Buddha have historically helped the people heal during national crises [1].
Despite the focus on compassion, the president took a firm stance against the platform known for its far-right content and targeted harassment. Lee addressed the ongoing mockery of Roh Moo-hyun, suggesting that the state must evaluate the legality and existence of the platform [1].
"Let us review the closure of the Ilbe site," Lee said [1].
The president's call for harmony contrasts with the specific administrative action requested against the website. By linking the need for social cohesion with the removal of a platform associated with extreme polarization, the administration is positioning digital regulation as a tool for national stability [1].
“"Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by compassion."”
This directive reflects a shift toward more aggressive state intervention against digital platforms that facilitate political polarization. By targeting Ilbe specifically in the context of mocking a former president, the administration is framing online hate speech not just as a social issue, but as a threat to national unity and the dignity of state leadership.
