‘Nobel Peace Prize’ laureate President Ramos-Horta wins ‘Internet Peace Prize’; Sunfull Foundation Chairman Min Byoung-chul presents the award

[Financial News] José Ramos-Horta, president of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and a 1996 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has received the ‘2026 Internet Peace Prize (Internet Peace Prize).’ The Sunfull Foundation and the National Assembly Sunfull Committee held the award ceremony on the 6th at Sarangjae in the National Assembly complex in Yeouido, Seoul.
The Internet Peace Prize, presented by the Sunfull Foundation, chaired by Min Byoung-chul, a distinguished professor at Chung-Ang University, recognizes activities promoting mutual respect in the digital environment, including efforts to prevent online hate speech and malicious comments.
The event was attended by 10 lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties, ambassadors from five countries stationed in South Korea, the leadership of the National Association of Sunfull Teachers, and student representatives and leaders of the Sunfull Movement, among others.
Those present at the National Assembly included Song Seok-jun, chair of its Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee; Song Young-gil, the president’s special envoy for peace diplomacy; and lawmakers Kang Kyung-sook, Kim Dae-sik, Kim Young-jin, Moon Jeong-bog, Min Hong-chul, Baek Sun-hee, Lee Jung-hun and Lee Heon-seung.
President Ramos-Horta received the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent activities in pursuit of Timor-Leste’s independence. He was shot in 2008 but survived, and is known to have later forgiven those responsible.
In his acceptance speech, he paid tribute to former President Kim Dae-jung, who urged the international community to respond during the 1999 crisis in Timor-Leste. Kim also received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000.
“Technology must serve humanity. Humanity must never become a slave to technology,” President Ramos-Horta said, emphasizing how artificial intelligence (AI) technology should be used.
He went on to say, “Peace begins with how we treat one another. Peace begins with the words we choose, the respect we show those who think differently from us, and the example we set for our children.”
The ceremony also addressed issues in the digital environment, including deepfakes made using AI technology and online hate speech. The European Union (EU), the United States and South Korea have introduced regulations or strengthened relevant laws concerning the labeling of AI-generated content and the distribution of deepfake sexual exploitation material.
The Internet Peace Prize was established in 2018. Its first recipients were the Japanese human rights coalition ‘Kawasaki Citizens’ Network Against Hate Speech’ and Ken Ogiso.


All 299 members of the 21st National Assembly of South Korea also signed the ‘Sunfull Political Declaration.’ The foundation has continued its work to prevent malicious comments and promote a healthy online language culture, focusing on schools and the National Assembly.
In his welcoming remarks, Song Seok-jun, chair of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, said, “I find it meaningful that President José Ramos-Horta of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, a 1996 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has visited the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea to receive the Internet Peace Prize.”
He added, “I hope this event will help strengthen friendship and cooperation between Korea and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and serve as an opportunity to expand international cooperation to create a peaceful and safe digital environment.”
Lee Jung-hun, co-chair of the National Assembly Sunfull Committee, said, “There is no distinction between the ruling and opposition parties when it comes to protecting people’s dignity from AI deepfakes and malicious comments. The National Assembly will support the path to digital peace opened by the Sunfull Movement so that it can take root institutionally.”
Sunfull Foundation Chairman Min Byoung-chul said, “President Ramos-Horta’s life, in which he overcame gunfire through forgiveness, shows the way forward for digital peace in the age of AI.”
The Sunfull Foundation plans to work with President Ramos-Horta’s team to launch a ‘Good AI Movement for Peace for Humanity’ and develop AI ethics and digital literacy education, along with exchange-visit programs for young people from South Korea and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.

[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter