As feared by the government, several Web sites have posted video files of the murder of Kim Sun-il in Iraq for download. The government has blocked a U.S. site carrying the video, but was too late to prevent downloaded copies from beginning to circulate here over file-sharing networks and by person-to-person exchanges.

But Internet service providers admitted that there was no way to block the spread of the downloaded video files by other means. Many programs, such as the “peer-to-peer” services used commonly to transfer music files, and instant messenger programs, allow users to transfer files to others.

The U.S. site said it was showing the brutal reality of violence in the world. It also posted files showing the beheadings of two Americans, Nick Berg and Paul Johnson.
On May 13, the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, a Korean television network, drew protests for showing the video of Mr. Berg’s murder. Its only concession was to blur out the victim’s severed head.

The Arab TV station Al Jazeera, which had aired some video of Mr. Kim in captivity, said it had decided not to broadcast video of the murder. The Ministry of Information and Communication said additional Web sites had begun posting video clips, and was continuing to ask Internet companies here to block access to the sites.

 by Wohn Dong-hee for JoongAng Daily (June 25, 2004)