Professor Min Byoung-chul of Konkuk University received a national award Tuesday for his role in fighting cyber bullying and negative online comments.

The professor of intercultural education and renowned English educator started the “Sunfull Movement” in May 2007 to promote a healthy culture of online communications. 

“The campaign has been significantly helping personality education for students and greatly contributing to reducing cyber violence,” the chairman of the Sunfull Movement said after the awards ceremony marking the Month of Information Culture.

“I will continue to devote myself to the Sunfull Movement to further spread a sound information culture.”

Cyber bullying is a serious problem in Korea with many harassed by groundless and malicious comments from anonymous Internet users.

The Sunfull Movement was initiated shortly after a young female singer committed suicide in 2007 after cyber bullying. Min had his students visit the websites or blogs of 10 celebrities each and leave positive comments encouraging them or defending them against malicious comments.

Min then initiated a nationwide effort which has grown into an influential social movement in which many celebrities and some 2,000 schools and institutions are participating.

The number of positive comments posted on the movement’s official website (www.sunfull.or.kr) topped 1.32 million this month.

Min hopes to spread the campaign throughout the world.

(Herald Online)