It is a shame that a professor who criticized a campaign candidate on TV, and a woman who spoke in favor of another, have become the subject of harassment. If these kinds of mass attacks occur against people having different views, then we can hardly call this country democratic and an election of this nature is surely far away. This increase of "cyber terror" under the cover of anonymity only raises friction and division.

Lee Il-sun, a woman vendor in a Busan fish market, who spoke in favor of Roh Moo-hyun and Ewha Woman's University Professor Kang Hye-ryun on Lee Hoi-chang's side were chosen randomly from various supporters by the producer of MBC's '100 Minutes.' The two were selected to represent the average supporter of the two candidates' camps.

It was natural for them to speak for their candidate and criticize the other, and even if a person disliked a certain comment, they could always rebut it in due course. However, Internet homepages were filled with irrational curses and slander. It is against the law to suppress human rights and freedom of expression of individuals, but it is a more serious crime to threaten someone's livelihood.

The problem is that this kind of group cyber terror on the Internet is not rational, but emotional; the attacks start with curses, build up on lies and then deliver threats. It emphasizes regionalism and class and generational differences. The emergent practice of an election based on the media including the Internet should not be a market for slander, but one of reasoned deduction, and so everyone should remain calm and collected.

December 9, 2002