No, the internet is not banned in South Korea. However, internet censorship is prevalent.
While South Korea doesn't have a complete internet ban, it does practice internet censorship. According to the OpenNet Initiative, this censorship includes blocking certain websites, leading to its categorization as "pervasive" in the conflict/security area.
Forms of Internet Censorship in South Korea
South Korea's internet censorship focuses on specific categories of content:
- Pro-North Korea Websites: These are commonly blocked due to national security concerns.
- Japanese Websites: To a lesser extent, Japanese websites are also subject to blocking.
Impact of Censorship
While internet access is widely available, the censorship practices impact the flow of information and user access to specific content.