Politics · South Korea · 1 day ago
South Korea orders physical shutdowns of some criminal websites abroad
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on October 10 that he had ordered agencies responsible for transnational crime to physically disable or shut down certain websites.
The order applies to sites used for crimes such as sexual exploitation and illegal gambling.
Lee said the action should be taken when legal shutdown or blocking is not possible because a site is based overseas.
The government announced a broader response plan in August to tackle illegal websites.
It includes treating the creation and operation of sites distributing illegal images as separate crimes, and cutting off advertising revenue and accounts used by operators.
Police have also said they will form a dedicated investigative team and consider using what they call “legal hacking” to gather evidence or delete original data.
The government has said it will work with overseas hosting and content-delivery companies to seek suspension of services.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said he had ordered agencies handling transnational crime to physically destroy or shut down illegal websites if they cannot be legally closed or blocked.
The order targets sites used for crimes including sexual exploitation and illegal gambling.
Lee said making money by harming South Korean citizens would not be tolerated.
The government announced a broader response plan in August, including steps to cut off advertising revenue and operating accounts.
- Who
- President Lee Jae-myung and agencies handling transnational crime.
- What
- Lee said he ordered agencies to physically destroy or shut down illegal websites when legal closure or blocking is not possible.
- When
- October 10, 2026.
- Where
- The order concerns illegal websites, including those based overseas.
- Why
- The sites are used for crimes such as sexual exploitation and illegal gambling and can harm South Korean citizens.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Making money by harming the people of the Republic of Korea will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
I ordered agencies responsible for transnational crimes to carry out physical destruction and shutdown measures against sites used for crimes such as illegal sexual exploitation and gambling when legal closure or blocking is impossible because, for example, they are located overseas.
The government announced a coordinated response plan for illegal websites, including measures to punish their operators and block advertising revenue and operating accounts.
Lee said he had ordered agencies handling transnational crime to physically destroy or shut down illegal websites that cannot be legally closed or blocked.
- President
- Lee Jae-myung
- Order date
- October 10, 2026
- Target sites
- Websites used for sexual exploitation and illegal gambling
- Government plan announced
- August 20
- Proposed investigative method
- Legal hacking” to gather leads or delete original data
Sources
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