South Korea draws up cyberbulling laws after second K-pop suicide

South Korean legislators are pushing for a new bill to make cyberbullying education compulsory in schools and private businesses after the nation was left reeling by the tragic deaths of two young K-pop stars who faced a flood of vicious online abuse.

The law, which is being spearheaded by Kim Su-min from the centrist Bareunmirae party, would be named after Choi Jin-ri, known more widely as ‘Sulli’, 25, who took her own life in October after she spoke of her struggles with constant attacks from misogynistic internet trolls.

It would introduce penalties for non-compliance and incentives for those who effectively educate their students and staff about the dangers of bullying others online.

Sulli, who was K-pop royalty after rising through the ranks from child actress to the girl group f(x), made headlines, often malicious, for her outspoken views on issues like ageism and women’s rights, where she broke with the typical gender mould of soft, feminine perfection promoted by the K-pop industry.

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