3. Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Assembly and Demonstration A. Human Rights Status 2022 Article 21(1) of the Constitution stipulates that “all citizens shall enjoy freedom of speech and the press, and freedom of assembly and association.” The above provision explicitly stipulates freedom of speech and the press, as well as freedom of assembly and association. Freedom of speech and the press is a concept that encompasses the freedom to express thoughts and opinions and the freedom to disseminate them, also called freedom of expression, and if the freedom of expression is seen as a freedom of communication in the form of individual freedom, the freedom of assembly and demonstration can be seen as freedom of communication in a collective form. Freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and demonstration are one of the most important fundamental rights of citizens in today's democratic country. These basic human rights are fundamental and core rights that are universally stipulated in international human rights standards. They emerged after the American Revolution and the French Revolution and are specified in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Covenant on Civil Rights. However, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and demonstration have recently been challenged in many ways. Maria Lessa, a 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner and a journalist, in her visit to Korea in 2022, expressed her view that democracy could regress due to the harmful effects of social media, the spread of fake news using politicians' hatred, and attempts to manipulate public opinion. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, assemblies and demonstrations have been significantly restricted for nearly two years in accordance with quarantine guidelines. The NHRCK’s 2021 Report on Human Rights Situation in the Republic of Korea reviewed the discussions on the repeal of Article 7 of the ‘National Security Act’ regarding freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and demonstration, controversy over fake news and amendments to the Press Arbitration Act, controversy over the decriminalization 51