인터넷선거운동과 공직선거법 -인터넷 선거운동의 상시 자유화에 대한 고찰을 중심으로-

As the internet has become more and more important in our daily life, the internet has become a crucial part of political campaigning. In the political campaigning, the internet serves as a vehicle for targeted information dissemination, supporter reinforcement, volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and voter mobilization. This paper addresses the issue of whether campaigning online should be allowed anytime or not. Candidates can conduct campaigning on his or her web site anytime under the current Election Law. However, campaigning online except this is allowed only during the election period which lasts about 20 days. This paper argues that the Election Law should be amended in order to allow campaigning online anytime. Campaigning online does cost little and may provide equal opportunities for any candidate whether he is rich or poor. By allowing the internet users to communicate their opinions on the potential candidates anytime on the internet, we can promote the freedom of expression and improve the level of representative democracy. Still, unfair campaigning through the internet such as disseminating false information or defame other candidates should be strictly prohibited.