Celebrities, authors and ordinary citizens in South Korea have been suffering from ongoing online attacks, some of them with disastrous, or even lethal, consequences. In recent months, several celebrities in South Korea have committed suicide, in part because of vicious rumors spread about them on the Internet, according to press reports.

In 2007, a 16-year-old high school student committed suicide subsequent to repeated cyber bullying that followed a TV appearance where she described how she lost 90 pounds in three months.

According to analysts, most South Korean cyber bullies are teenagers. South Korean government statistics show that 99 percent of citizens between the ages of 10 and 39 use the Internet.

The legislation, which provides for punishing those who "insult" others on the Internet with up to three years in jail or a $30,000 fine, was proposed after a popular actress committed suicide last year. Critics of the bill have questioned whether it would suppress freedom of expression.

Source: South Korean cyber bullies could face $30,000 fines, 3 years in jail for Web insults, Cleveland.com, January 6, 2010

Tags: South Korea, cyber bullying, legislation