"Confirmed Case Visited" "Shincheonji-Linked Store"... Fake News Spread Through 'Mom Cafes'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Earlier this month, a piece of 'fake news' related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) rapidly spread on social networking services (SNS) and other platforms. It claimed that seven businesses, including bakeries and cafes located in Gangwon-do, were operated by Shincheonji Church of Jesus (Shincheonji).

At first, the businesses did not take it seriously. They thought the issue would be resolved after explaining to those around them and with the passage of time. However, as the spread of COVID-19 reduced foot traffic and resentment toward Shincheonji grew, customers began to decline sharply. Although the police arrested six individuals who created the fake news, the situation had already deteriorated significantly. A representative from one of the businesses mentioned in the fake news said, "After the false information that we were connected to Shincheonji spread, our sales plummeted to about 10% of the usual level," expressing the emotional distress they had endured.

From late January to mid-February, during the early stages of COVID-19, most of the false and fabricated information circulating online was limited to personal information of confirmed patients or their contacts. At that time, fake news mainly consisted of claims such as "the nth confirmed case occurred somewhere, but it has not yet been disclosed."

However, after the 31st confirmed case, identified as a Shincheonji member, was reported on the 18th of last month, the nature of fake news changed. Cases increased where specific businesses were alleged to be connected to Shincheonji, or that confirmed cases emerged at certain locations, or false 'movement routes' of confirmed patients were circulated. For example, in Busan, fake news spread claiming that 10 confirmed cases were found at a market, and in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, a false rumor circulated that the son of a restaurant owner had tested positive. Businesses mentioned in such fake news suffered severe damage to their sales. The police analyzed this as "malicious and organized false and fabricated information deliberately targeting specific individuals and businesses."

It is also notable that a significant portion of such fake news is spread through local 'mom cafes' on internet portals. The initial distributors of fake news targeted these mom cafes because members are sensitive to local news and often reshare information to inform those around them.

Meanwhile, the police have so far detected 65 cases of such false and fabricated information and arrested 89 people. Investigations are underway for 92 cases, and 361 cases have been deleted or blocked. A police official emphasized, "We will respond firmly, including considering arrest investigations, against the production and distribution of false and fabricated information that causes social confusion, fear, and clouds public judgment."

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