Gyeonggi-do, First Detection of New Coronavirus 'Fake News' in 3 Days... Investigation Requested

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has detected 'fake news' related to the novel coronavirus infection and requested an investigation by the police.

On the 4th, Gyeonggi Province announced that on the 3rd, it detected a YouTube content claiming "the first domestic death from the novel coronavirus infection occurred, but our government is covering it up," and requested a police investigation.

This video, which recorded 60,000 views, cited an article stating that a Chinese resident in Pyeongtaek lost consciousness and died while waiting for medical treatment at a public health center, and spread false information such as "It should be considered the first death from the novel coronavirus" and "The government's announcement that it is unrelated to the infection cannot be trusted."

The man who died on the 30th of last month was confirmed to have tested 'negative' for the novel coronavirus on the 31st, the following day, and was confirmed to have died unrelated to the infectious disease. In particular, it was revealed that the man had no history of visiting China or contact with Chinese people in the past six months.

While monitoring for novel coronavirus infection-related content, the province detected this content and immediately notified Pyeongtaek City of the situation. In response, Pyeongtaek City urgently announced through its official SNS around 5 p.m. on the 3rd that "the death news related to the novel coronavirus is fake news." Additionally, the city requested an investigation from the Pyeongtaek Police Station.

Earlier, the province also announced through SNS that a 'fake document' claiming that three additional confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection had occurred in the Gyeonggi area was circulating online and that it was not true.

This document titled "Report on the occurrence of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in the jurisdiction" mimicked the format of official documents from the central government or local governments, but everything, including the name "Health Management Division" and the names of confirmed cases, was clearly 'fake.'

Such fake news, cleverly produced by borrowing the format of news or official documents, not only stirs anxiety but can also undermine the credibility of real news and official announcements from the government and local governments. Therefore, the province plans to continue to respond strongly to fake news.

A provincial official said, "Gyeonggi Province is currently fighting a life-or-death battle to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection and is also battling fake news," warning, "Those who produce or distribute unverified rumors and fake news may be subject to criminal punishment for defamation and obstruction of business."

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