
South Korea Defamation Laws: Civil & Criminal
Defamation in South Korea is both civil and criminal. Criminal Act Article 307 punishes even true-fact statements; cyber defamation is heavily prosecuted.
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Defamation in South Korea is both civil and criminal. Criminal Act Article 307 punishes even true-fact statements; cyber defamation is heavily prosecuted.

In Slovenia defamation is both criminal and civil. Criminal Code articles 158 to 162 create the offences, and the Obligations Code allows damages.

In Slovakia defamation is both criminal and civil. Criminal Code section 373 (ohovaranie) punishes it, and Civil Code sections 11 to 13 allow damages.

In Romania defamation is a civil matter only. Criminal defamation was repealed; the Civil Code protects dignity and reputation under articles 72 and 253.

In Portugal defamation is both criminal and civil. Penal Code Articles 180 to 183 punish difamacao and injuria; the Civil Code allows damages.

In Poland defamation is both criminal and civil. Criminal Code article 212 punishes it; the Civil Code allows an injunction, apology, and compensation.

Peru defamation is civil and criminal: injuria (Art 130), calumnia (Art 131) and difamacion (Art 132) are Penal Code crimes carrying fines or prison.

Defamation in Paraguay is civil and criminal: Penal Code arts 150-152 cover calumnia, difamacion and injuria, mostly with fines, plus civil damages.

Norway decriminalized defamation in 2015. It is now a civil-only matter under the Damages Compensation Act section 3-6a; there is no general defamation crime.

In Luxembourg defamation is both criminal and civil. The Criminal Code punishes calomnie and diffamation; the 2004 media law gives a public defence.

In Latvia defamation is both criminal and civil. Criminal Law section 157 punishes it, and Civil Law section 2352.a allows retraction and damages.

Defamation in Indonesia is both civil and criminal. The 2023 Criminal Code (effective Jan 2026) and the ITE Law govern offline and online defamation.