Converging Approaches to Defamation Law in the United States and South Korea

One’s personal reputation affects almost every aspect of one’s life, including social relationships, employment opportunities, and business outcomes. The internet has made a person’s reputation vulnerable to attacks from many more sources than ever before, and this has resulted in a surge of defamation cases. This article compares approaches to defamation law in the United States and South Korea to highlight the convergences and divergences of law and legal culture in each country. It concludes that, although there are substantial differences between the two nations’ treatment of defamation laws, South Korea is trending toward assimilating the legal standards regarding Freedom of Speech that protect defendants of defamation cases in the United States.