[Digital Today reporter Jin-ho Lee] The Korea Broadcasting, Media and Communications Review Committee said on April 28 it appointed five experts, including member Kim Jun-hyeon (김준현), to its defamation dispute mediation panel.

The panel is a statutory alternative dispute resolution body that mediates disputes over information circulated through information and communications networks that infringes others’ rights, including privacy violations or defamation.

Under the current Information and Communications Network Act, the panel consists of up to 5 members. At the appointment ceremony, the committee appointed Kim as head of the panel along with members Kim Yu-hyang (김유향) (head of DKE Legislative Policy Institute), Jeong Eun-ryeong (정은령) (associate professor at Semyung University’s Graduate School of Journalism), Shim Seok-tae (심석태) (former head of SBS News Division) and Kang Tae-wook (강태욱) (managing attorney at Daham Law Firm). Their term runs for 1 year until April 27, 2027.

Any user whose rights have been infringed online, including through defamation, insults or violations of portrait rights, can apply for dispute mediation through the committee’s internet damage relief website. If it is difficult to confirm the other party’s personal information, users can get help through the "request for provision of user information" system.

From July 7, when an amended Information and Communications Network Act takes effect, the panel will be reorganised into a dispute mediation panel of up to 20 members. As a result, its work is expected to expand significantly, including mediation over decisions on objections filed by reporters or content posters after large information and communications service providers take reporting measures on illegal information and false manipulated information.

Chairman Ko Gwang-heon (고광헌) said, "Going forward, user information that is provided can be used in defamation dispute mediation procedures, so the effectiveness of systems to protect the rights and interests of internet users is expected to improve." He added, "I hope users will be able to obtain prompt relief through the panel."