By Lee Jin-woo
Staff Reporter

The ruling Uri Party may introduce a system forcing Web surfers to use their real names online to curb Internet crime, especially libel, a top party official said Tuesday.

Rep. Chung Sye-kyun, the party’s floor leader, said, ``We will positively consider introducing the ``real-name system’’ as the government is also studying a new regulation and a great number of Internet users have expressed their support for it in recent surveys.’’

Chung said cyber crimes have steadily increased and the number of such crimes this year is estimated at as much as 10 times that in 2001.

However, Chung also expressed concern over the possible side effects of the mandatory use of real names on the Internet, as it is feared it could infringe on the freedom of expression, stressing the need to consider all possible consequences.

The ruling party is likely to finalize its stance on the issue within this month after a series of meetings and discussions with the public and the government, party officials said.

Recent surveys conducted by major local Internet Web portals have shown that a majority of Internet users support the disclosure of user identities on the Web.

According to a survey of 7,909 Internet users by Naver (www.naver.com), the nation’s largest Web portal, 65 percent of those polled supported using real names on the Web, while 32 percent opposed it. The survey was conducted between June 13 and July 3.

Another survey of 1,631 people by Yahoo Korea (www.yahoo.co.kr), which was conducted over the same period, showed an even higher percentage. Eighty percent backed the new anti-defamation scheme, dwarfing the 18 percent that objected to it.

An increasing number of people have been calling for the introduction of the real-name system, citing a series of recent defamation cases, such as ``Entertainers’ X-File,’’ a 113-page computer file containing personal information and unconfirmed rumors regarding 125 Korean celebrities.

The controversial file, which began spreading through the Internet in mid-January, was compiled in November by Dongseo Research to be used as an informal reference at the request of Cheil Communications, the largest advertising company in the country.

Early last month, two pictures of a woman holding a puppy and an old man cleaning up after her dog in a subway train became the topic of enraged Internet users.

Tens of thousands of comments criticizing the lady for her irresponsibility were posted on Web sites.

A few days later, however, some other commuters, who witnessed the situation, posted comments defending the lady, pointing out the awkward situation she faced and criticizing the ``online witch-hunt.’’

According to the National Police Agency, the number of Internet crimes reported to police last year is estimated to be over 200,000, up from 165,119 in 2003 and 118,868 in 2002.

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