People Power Party’s Kwon Young-se, the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson (second from left), speaks at an Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on Nov. 21. /Courtesy of News1

The People Power Party Media Special Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Media Special Committee) announced on the 21st that it will officially launch the reporting and support platform 'National Siren' based on KakaoTalk channels.

The Media Special Committee of the People Power Party noted, "Concerns are spreading that the Democratic Party of Korea is excessively stifling freedom of the press and expression by borrowing the image of public power, as it recently operates the 'Democratic Police Station' reporting center under the pretext of 'responding to fake news' and has even announced the launch of the 'Democratic Fire Station' for the purpose of 'discovering false information.'"

It added, "The National Siren is a dedicated channel that provides legal support to journalists and ordinary citizens who have suffered unjust accusations, lawsuits, or damage from the Media Arbitration Commission due to the Democratic Party of Korea’s operation of the 'Democratic Police Station' and others."

Earlier, the Democratic Party launched the 'Democratic Police Station' in January to respond to misinformation. The Democratic Police Station receives reports of misinformation spread online and offline and responds quickly. The 'Democratic Fire Station' is an institution that preemptively discovers and addresses fake news.

The Media Special Committee of the People Power Party added, "The People Power Party expects that the number of citizens suffering unjust damage from the Democratic Party will increase in the future and plans to operate 'National Siren' to establish legal and institutional measures to effectively respond to the so-called 'gag order' attempts."

Victim reports can be submitted through the National Siren KakaoTalk channel, and the submitted reports will undergo internal review before initial consultations via phone are provided in conjunction with the party's media legal team, the People Power Party explained. If requested by the victim, connection support to attorneys will also be conducted on the condition of covering actual costs.