President Lee Jae-myung on Tuesday instructed the justice minister to proactively consider abolishing the criminal prosecution of defamation cases founded in facts, arguing truthful expression should be handled in civil court, not through criminal prosecution. Lee issued the directive during a Cabinet meeting, while also calling for stronger penalties against hate speech, racial discrimination and fabricated information. 

Article 307(1) of South Korea’s Criminal Act allows up to two years in prison or a 5 million won fine for defamation convictions even when statements are factual. The National Human Rights Commission and the U.N.have previously called for the law’s repeal,