Lee President Considers 'Punitive Damages' for Fake News YouTubers

It is expected that sanctions against YouTubers who profit from fake news and similar media outlets will be strengthened.

President Lee Jae-myung has directed the Ministry of Justice to review the implementation of a punitive damages system.

On the 3rd, the Ministry of Interior and Safety released the minutes of the 26th Cabinet Meeting held on June 19.

According to the minutes, President Lee stated to then-Minister of Justice Kim Seok-woo, "There are too many people making money from fake news," and asked for a review of how this could be controlled. He emphasized that "the fundamental issue is to block illegal activities for profit fundamentally."

President Lee also noted, "The best solution is punitive damages. The Ministry of Justice should consider how to deal with YouTubers spreading fake news for profit. Criminal punishment alone is insufficient for acts that violate the law for profit."

President Lee clearly pointed out the limitations of criminal punishment.

He expressed concern about the potential for abuse of prosecutorial power, stating, "When criminal punishment is applied, there is the issue of prosecutorial abuse. As government power increases, there is a possibility that those in power will misuse it."

Instead, he mentioned the American example, emphasizing that a punitive damages system that imposes damages significantly greater than the profits gained from illegal activities could serve as an effective alternative.

President Lee explained, "For example, if someone sells fake food, imposing punitive damages that require them to pay back several times the sales amount would make it possible to actually control this issue."

Kim Seok-woo, the Deputy Minister of Justice who attended the meeting, stated, "What the Ministry of Justice is considering is to ensure that criminal proceeds are returned to the state or refunded to the victims before criminal punishment." He added, "There are limitations if the defendant is abroad or cannot be specifically identified, and we are also looking for ways to recover criminal proceeds in such cases."

Image Source: Lee Jae-myung, President / News1, Stock images for illustrative purposes / gettyimagesbank