A notice urging people to refrain from filming is posted on a shop in Pinocchio Square near Bucheon Station (Yonhap)
BUCHEON, Jan. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — Civic groups in the South Korean city of Bucheon on Friday called for the swift passage of a proposed criminal law amendment aimed at curbing so-called “abusive YouTubers,” whose disruptive livestreams have drawn growing public concern.
According to city officials, a coalition of 12 local civic organizations submitted more than 20,000 signatures and a formal petition to the National Assembly, urging lawmakers to move quickly on legislation that would strengthen penalties for content creators who generate public fear or disorder.
The proposed amendment to the Criminal Act was introduced in November by Democratic Party lawmakers Seo Young-seok and Kim Ki-pyo, who represent districts in Bucheon. The bill would allow authorities to impose tougher punishment on individuals who use threatening or disruptive behavior in public spaces to provoke anxiety or alarm.
Under current law, such conduct can generally be punished only under the Minor Offenses Act, with fines capped at 100,000 won, a penalty critics say has done little to deter repeat offenders.
The revision would make it possible to impose up to one year in prison or fines of up to 3 million won on those who create fear or unrest through intimidating actions in public places.
A YouTuber is staging disruptive behavior near Bucheon Station in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. (Image source: YouTube capture)
Residents say the problem has been particularly acute around Bucheon Station Plaza, where some YouTubers have staged bizarre or provocative performances to attract online viewers, unsettling pedestrians and discouraging customers from visiting nearby businesses.
The area gained notoriety after 2022 as a hotspot for extreme livestream content. City officials said the situation has improved somewhat since Bucheon launched a task force last October to restore public order and improve the city’s image, though residents argue legal reform remains essential.
Mayor Cho Yong-ik praised citizens for mobilizing against what he described as illegal and harmful media practices, vowing that the city would continue working to build what he called a “media-safe urban environment.”
The campaign reflects a broader national debate over how South Korea should balance freedom of expression with public safety in an era of platform-driven attention economies.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
