Investigation Launched One After Another into Fake News and Personal Information Leaks Related to 'New Coronavirus'

During the MERS Crisis, Many Fake News Cases Prosecuted Due to "Desire for Showing Off"

Smishing scam messages related to the novel coronavirus infection.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The police have launched a full-scale investigation into fake news and personal information leaks related to the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia). The focus is on who committed these acts and for what purpose.

According to the National Police Agency on the 3rd, the police have begun investigating the leak of an official document concerning the '5th confirmed case.' The document was created by the Seongbuk Public Health Center in Seoul and was distributed through internet communities and social networking services (SNS) containing various personal information. Investigations are also underway into fake news impersonating media reports about confirmed cases at a high school in Suwon, as well as false 'jirasi' (rumor reports) containing the names of a hotel and plastic surgery clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, which the 3rd confirmed case allegedly visited.

Requests for investigations from local governments and hospitals are also increasing. Jeju Province requested a police investigation on charges of defamation and obstruction of business regarding a false SNS post claiming that a confirmed patient was transferred to Jeju National University Hospital. A university hospital in the Daejeon area requested an investigation by the Daejeon Police Agency Cyber Investigation Unit concerning a post stating that a novel coronavirus patient had appeared and part of the hospital's facilities had been closed.

Many acts of spreading fake news that cause public confusion and anxiety are presumed to be driven by a desire for attention or 'showing off.' In fact, during the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak, there were numerous cases where ordinary people were booked by the police for spreading false information claiming to have obtained important information. Moreover, the severity of related crimes is increasing, with smishing messages being distributed under the pretense of confirming information about confirmed patients for financial gain.

The police plan to take legal action not only against the initial spreaders of fake news but also against intermediaries if the offense is serious. A National Police Agency official stated, "Since the production and distribution of false and manipulated information online cause public anxiety and social confusion, we will continue monitoring and respond strictly to illegal activities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.