• Organised by : Korea Communications Commission, British Embassy Seoul, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
• Supported by : Korea Press Foundation, Netherlands Embassy       
• Date : Friday 3 July 2009   
• Location : Korea Press Foundation (20F), Seoul

Over the past decade there has been a revolution in the way that news, information and ideas are communicated.  The Internet has enabled anyone with access to a personal computer to instantly reach a global audience in written, visual or verbal form. It has enabled governments to deliver information and services more effectively to the public, enabled the public to contribute to the development of policy making, and enabled new forms of virtual communities and market places to flourish.

The Internet has brought many benefits and opportunities, particularly to advanced, hi-tech societies such as the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom. But it has also brought challenges and risks, especially concerning the need to balance the ability to publish anything on the Internet with the need to prevent abuse, criminal activity and to protect the rights and freedoms of others.

The right to freedom of expression is not an absolute one and this is recognised in both international and domestic law. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (to which the Republic of Korea and the UK are parties), while setting out that "everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression, including freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.", also goes on to say that the exercise of this right carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, if they are provided by law and are necessary for  the respect of the rights or reputations of others or for the protection of national security or public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.

This Conference will focus on how modern democracies, such as the Republic and Korea and the United Kingdom, can maximise the benefits that the Internet can bring to individuals and society while ensuring it is not used to cause harm. It will bring together lawmakers, regulators, Internet users and academics to explore the issues and share best practice.

The Conference will be held in Korean and English, with simultaneous translation provided thanks to the generous contribution of the Netherlands Embassy Seoul.

Please register your attendance by emailing Jenny Hong at jenny.hong@fco.gov.uk  before  1 July. 

When you register, please state your name, title, organisation and phone number.

Programme

09:00 - 09:30

• Registration of Participants

09:30 - 10:30

• Opening remarks by HE Choi See-joong, Chairman of Korea Communications Commission (KCC)
• Welcoming remarks by HE Martin Uden. British Ambassador to Seoul
• Congratulatory remarks by Rep. Ko Heung-kil, Chairman of National Assembly
• Committee Culture, Sports, Tourism, Broadcasting and Communications
• HE Hans Heinsbroek, Netherlands Ambassador to Seoul - Keynote address by HE Ryu In-chon,    Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ministry (MCST)

10:00 - 12:00

Session 1   Digital Age, Utilising the Internet and Copyright

• Utilising the Internet to exchange ideas and information
• Content and copyright issues

Moderator

• Professor Lee Hae-wan, Law School, Sungkyunwan University

Speakers

• - Yoon Jong-soo, President, Nonsan District Court
• - Professor Lee Dae-hee, Law School, Korea University

Discussants

• Chung Hye-seung, Head of Public Relations, Media Daum
• Robert Koehler, Editor, Seoul Magazine  
• Shin Chang-hwan, Lawyer, Kim & Chang

12:00 - 13:30

• Lunch for participants in the Korea Press Foundation  

13:30 - 15:30

Session 2  -  Protection of Personal Rights and the Rights of Others on the Internet

• Defamation and Libel on the Internet
• Internet and the Right to Anonymity

Moderator

• John Sudworth, BBC Correspondent in Seoul

Speakers

• Dr Ian Brown, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford
• Dr Hwang Chul-jeung, Director General, Network Policy Bureau, Korea Communications Commission

Discussants

• Professor Yoon Young-chul, President, Graduate School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Yonsei University
• Professor Han Sang-ki, KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology
• Han Jong-ho, Policy Director, NHN (Naver)

Coffee Break

15:45 - 17:45

 Session 3  The Law and Regulation

• International standards and practice
• Self regulation versus legislation
• Liability of Service Provider

Moderator

• Professor Lee Chang-hyun, School of Communication, Kukmin University  

Speakers

• Derek Wyatt MP, Chair Parliamentary Group on Communications, UK House of Commons
• Representative Chung Doo-un, GNP (Chairman of the GNP National Communication   Committee)

Discussants

• Yoo Nam-young, Senior Commissioner, National Human Rights Commission of Korea
• Kim Yoo-hang, Head of Culture, Broadcasting & Communication Team, National Assembly Research Service
• Kim Chang-hee, Chairman of the Policy Committee, Korea Internet Self-governnance Organization
• Han Chang-min, Secretary General, K Internet

17:45 - 18:00

• Concluding Session

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