Justice Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on Monday denied allegation that the government monitors messages exchanged on the country’s most popular mobile messenger Kakao Talk without proper legal procedures.
The remark comes amid mounting worries that the government may search through private chat histories on the platform on a real-time basis to seek out false rumors and to sift out comments antagonistic to the Park Geun-hye government.
“It is not true that (the government) monitors messages on a real-time basis,” the minister said in response to questions from opposition lawmakers during a parliamentary audit of the Justice Ministry.
Kakao Talk users recently went on a so-called “digital migration,” quickly switching to other messenger applications to seek better protection. Germany-based Telegram, launched by a Russian-born entrepreneur, has suddenly become one of the most popular messenger apps in the local mobile market.
“Some 1.5 million users joined Telegram, which I have not even heard of,” said Rep. Seo Young-kyo of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy. “It is all because the prosecution indiscriminately demands the monitoring.”
“Telegram even recently showcased a Korean version of the application,” said Rep. Lim Nae-hyung of the same party.
In August, prosecutors had launched a new task force, vowing strong action against anyone who spreads false information that could bring about social confusion and discord, making Kakao users worry about the privacy of their chats.
The prosecution’s move came just days after President Park lashed out at insulting remarks about her on the Internet, saying that such conduct hurts the stature of South Korea and its people.
“The prosecution should not move just based on one word of the president,” said Rep. Seo Gi-ho of the minority Progressive Justice Party, questioning the motive behind the new task force.
“The ministry made the decision in a comprehensive way based on the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office meetings and the president’s remarks,” the minister said.
“I am currently using KaKao Talk,” the minister said, assuring that the platform is safe from alleged illegal surveillance. (Yonhap)
