KOREA: 75% of Internet users back using real names

New Korea Gallup survey reveals strong support behind applying real name system to prevent cyber crime

The Korea Times
Monday, September 19, 2005

By Kim Tae-gyu

Seoul -- Three out of four Korean Internet users think using real names on Web sites will be effective in preventing cyber crimes such as libel according to a survey by Korea Gallup.

The Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) Monday said the survey showed up to 75.6 percent of online respondents and 74.1 percent of telephone respondents said the real name system would be effective.

By contrast, only 10.7 percent of online respondents and 9 percent of telephone respondents questioned the effectiveness of the real name system.

At the request of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Korea Gallup conducted the poll of 1,000 students, teachers and parents through the Internet and telephone early this month.

The results are expected to encourage the government’s endeavor to crack down on crimes in the virtual world by introducing the real-name formula.

The system requires Internet users to provide their real names, instead of aliases, and their resident registration numbers when they make postings on the Web.

The MIC is trying to launch the format soon in the belief that the anonymity of the Internet is mainly responsible for the cyber crimes, which have grown over the past several years.

The ministry aims to apply the new policy to big Internet portals and media Web sites at the end of this year.

Some experts raise concerns about the government initiative, contending the real name scheme would just irritate ordinary Web users while failing to bring elusive Internet criminals under control.

They also claim the plan should be blocked because it violates constitutional rights on free speech.

Date Posted: 9/19/2005