Police Secure 12.47 Million Masks Through 'Hoarding' Crackdown... 102 Fake News Cases Detected

10.05 Million Masks Distributed Excluding Defective Stock
Three Investigations Related to Lee Man-hee, Shincheonji Chairman
All Defamation Complaints by Shincheonji Followers Withdrawn

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) causing a 'mask crisis,' the police have seized a total of 12.74 million masks through crackdowns on hoarding and other violations.

On the 23rd, Police Commissioner Min Gap-ryong stated in a written briefing that "182 personnel have been deployed to the government-wide joint crackdown team, and since the 28th of last month, 273 special crackdown teams have been operating to enforce strict control."

As of the 22nd of this month, the police have uncovered 207 cases of distribution disorder such as mask hoarding, with 444 individuals arrested. Apart from judicial actions, measures are also being taken to expedite the distribution of 10.05 million masks, excluding 2.69 million defective masks, out of the 12.74 million masks secured.

Investigations into fake news related to COVID-19 are also ongoing. Up to the previous day, the police have investigated a total of 213 cases, including 170 cases of spreading false and fabricated information and 43 cases of personal information leaks, uncovering 102 cases and arresting 161 people. Commissioner Min emphasized, "False and fabricated information causes public anxiety and social confusion and poses a significant risk of obstructing the nation's quarantine efforts, so we are relentlessly tracking and strictly responding to producers and distributors."

Investigations into complaints and accusations against Lee Man-hee, the General Pastor of Shincheonji Church of Jesus (Shincheonji), where a mass infection occurred, are also ongoing. Since last year, four complaints and accusations against Pastor Lee have been filed with the police. Among these, one case was sent to the prosecution with a non-indictment opinion in July last year, and investigations such as account analysis and interviews with related parties are underway for the remaining three cases.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that all complainants withdrew a large number of reports filed with the police by Shincheonji on grounds such as defamation. At the end of last month, four Shincheonji believers filed 835 reports through the police's cybercrime reporting and counseling system. Separately, the police have received complaints and accusations regarding two cases, including the leakage of church member lists, and are investigating them.

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