"Secondary Harm of Disasters is a Crime"... National Police Agency to Investigate Directly and Strengthen Punishment

[Financial News] To prevent secondary harm to social incidents such as the Sewol ferry disaster, the National Police Agency will conduct direct investigations. Considering the characteristics of cybercrimes that rapidly spread online once they occur, the focus will be on strengthening punishment and prevention.
According to the police on the 10th, the National Police Agency will implement a 'Comprehensive Response Plan for Secondary Harm Crimes to Protect Victims of Social Disasters'.
First, the National Police Agency reorganized its structure to conduct direct investigations. A secondary harm crime investigation team was established at the National Investigation Headquarters, and an investigation unit responsible for direct investigations was formed under it. It will directly handle cases that require swift investigation due to their seriousness or high difficulty. A superintendent will be placed as the team leader, and it will be composed of 19 members, including a command unit responsible for researching related policies, laws, and systems. Other cases will be assigned to dedicated teams organized within the cyber investigation units of each provincial police agency.
Detention investigations will also be actively utilized. Intentional and malicious expressions, repeated crimes, and crimes for economic gain will be subject to detention investigations. Previously, among the 65 people arrested for secondary harm related to the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster at Muan Airport last December, only one suspect was detained.
Yoon Jong-gun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out at the '12·29 Passenger Plane Disaster Truth Investigation Special Committee' held at the National Assembly on the 26th of last month, "There is a need to strengthen the criteria for distinguishing between detention and non-detention for secondary harm related to social disasters."
The strengthening of related punishments is also being pursued. Currently, it is possible to punish under charges such as defamation under the Criminal Act and the Information and Communications Network Act, but there is a growing call for more severe punishment.
In fact, in related trials, punishments have been limited to fines or suspended sentences. In December 2022, Kim Mi-na, a council member of the People Power Party in Changwon, who made remarks such as "selling children for business" towards the bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster on social networking services (SNS), was given a suspended sentence of three months in both the first and second trials. A suspended sentence is a system where the sentence is waived after a certain period if the crime is deemed minor and the possibility of reoffending is low.
The police plan to specify provisions prohibiting secondary harm in the Disaster Safety Act to codify related crimes. The establishment of charges such as defamation and defamation of the deceased under the Information and Communications Network Act is also being pursued.
Measures to prevent harm, such as blocking posts, are also being prepared. Since it is difficult to prevent the spread of online posts, preemptive prevention is considered crucial. Discussions are underway with related agencies such as the Korea Communications Standards Commission to quickly delete or block related posts. Additionally, efforts are being made to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for data cooperation, such as closing comment sections on related articles on major portal sites.
There is also an opinion that promoting the seriousness of secondary harm crimes is necessary. The police plan to promote through related videos, card news, and educational materials, and conduct preventive education targeting schools. To protect victims, a direct communication channel with the bereaved families will be created, and online and offline reports will be received.
A police official said, "Rapid investigation and prevention of harm are crucial to prevent the spread of damage," adding, "Efforts will be made to eradicate secondary harm crimes by raising awareness that it is a criminal act."
unsaid@fnnews.com Kang Myung-yeon Reporter