'No revival of censorship': Rapper E-Sens criticizes Democratic Party bill targeting hate music

Rapper E-Sens, 39, whose real name is Kang Min-ho, has raised concerns that a bill pushed by the Democratic Party of Korea to restrict hate- and crime-inciting music could infringe on freedom of expression.

E-Sens shared a news article about the legislation on his social media account Saturday and voiced his position. "Censorship must not be revived," he wrote. "Who gets to set the standards, and who gets to decide?"

He also drew an analogy to video games. "If a song makes someone uncomfortable, can't that person simply choose not to listen to it?" he said. "Saying we should ban such music is like saying we should ban shooting games just because they exist."

The bill E-Sens referenced was recently introduced by Rep. Kim Hyeon of the Democratic Party of Korea. It proposes amendments to the Music Industry Promotion Act and the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection to more effectively curb the distribution and spread of music deemed harmful to minors by promoting hate or criminal behavior.

When introducing the bill, Kim said creative freedom must be respected, but added that music promoting hate and crime should not be left to circulate online unchecked, given its harmful effects on education and society at large.

Kim also said the bill aims to encourage music distributors to take greater responsibility for self-regulation, address gaps in the vetting process for music released by minors, and establish an emergency response framework within the Broadcasting and Media Communications Commission.