Police Draw the Sword for "Fake News" Recklessly Spread to Disrupt COVID-19 Quarantine... "Strict Response" Announced

False Claims Surge Among Far-Right Groups
Police Investigate 102 Cases
Consideration of Infectious Disease Control Act Violations Underway

On the 20th, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues, banners reading "Stop acts defaming Sarang Jeil Church" are hung in an alley near Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Recently, as 'fake news' related to COVID-19 has spread mainly among far-right groups, the police have taken decisive action.

On the 23rd, the National Police Agency announced that it would strictly respond to malicious and organized production and distribution of false information related to COVID-19. A police official explained, "As confirmed cases have surged mainly in the metropolitan area recently, the spread of false information is also re-emerging," adding, "The situation is worsening as it is evolving into a form that directly obstructs the government's quarantine efforts."

As of the 20th of this month, the police have apprehended 147 individuals in 96 cases related to the distribution of false information about COVID-19, and 55 individuals in 31 cases related to personal information leaks. Additionally, investigations are underway for 102 cases.

In fact, false information such as "Many tested positive at the public health center, but when retested at the hospital, the results were negative. Fake positives," has been spread mainly through far-right YouTube channels, prompting the Seocho Police Station in Seoul to initiate an internal investigation. The Jongno Police Station in Seoul is also investigating false claims that participants were crushed to death in police buses during the Liberation Day rally.

As the spread of false information intensified, the police strengthened the activities of 46 dedicated monitoring personnel from local police agencies for proactive response. For detected false information, requests for deletion and blocking are being made to the Korea Communications Standards Commission and site operators.

In particular, for the distribution of false information that obstructs national quarantine efforts and causes serious risks to society, the police plan to review violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and take legal action. Regarding recent claims spreading mainly among far-right groups, such as "The government is deliberately issuing positive diagnoses. Refuse quarantine measures," legal reviews are underway to determine their illegality.

A National Police Agency official stated, "We will promptly initiate investigations and internal inquiries into malicious and organized production and distribution of false information, tracking and apprehending not only the original producers but also intermediate distributors," and added, "We ask the public to actively report illegal activities to the police, Ministry of Health and Welfare, local governments, and related agencies."

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