Lawmaker introduces bill to ban AI deepfake mockery of war veterans

Rep. Jo Gye-won of the Democratic Party of Korea, who represents Yeosu-eul in South Jeolla Province, said Thursday he had introduced a bill to eliminate malicious mockery and hate targeting national merit holders and their families.

Public anger over online hate and ridicule has been mounting in recent months, fueled by incidents including the mockery of a memorial ceremony for the late former President Roh Moo-hyun and a controversy over a company event that denigrated the May 18 pro-democracy uprising. Much of the content has been traced to online communities such as Ilbe, a far-right forum known for inflammatory posts.

Jo said the problem has grown particularly acute on social media and online communities, where generative AI and deepfake technology are being exploited to manipulate the likenesses and voices of national merit holders without consent. Posts ridiculing and insulting their contributions and sacrifices are spreading widely, he said, causing serious secondary harm to the veterans and their bereaved families.

Under current law, there are no provisions prohibiting or penalizing hate speech or mockery targeting this group, and calls have grown for legislative action to close the gap.

The proposed amendment would ban anyone from producing or distributing videos, audio, images or other content that mocks or insults national merit holders, their bereaved families or their relatives through information and communications networks or public statements.

The bill would also authorize the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to order violators to cease or correct their conduct, or to request corrective action from the heads of relevant agencies. New penalty provisions for violations would significantly strengthen the law's practical effect.

"Distorting and ridiculing online the noble sacrifices of those who devoted themselves to the nation goes beyond insulting the veterans themselves — it strikes at the very foundation of our national community," Jo said. "This amendment is the minimum legal safety net needed to protect the honor and dignity of national merit holders and their families from malicious hate and mockery spreading on the back of advances in AI technology. I hope the National Assembly passes it swiftly to fill the legislative void and build a society where sacrifice for the nation is properly respected."