Police Secure Bus Passenger List for 'Gwanghwamun Rally'... Investigation Accelerates Including Jeon Gwang-hoon

YouTube Fake News Investigation and Internal Inquiry
Tracking of Rally Participants
Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of National Police Agency, "Strict Judicial Action According to Law and Procedure"

Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong of the National Police Agency. / Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police are accelerating investigations related to the nationwide spread of COVID-19 following the 'Gwanghwamun Rally' held on the 15th, led mainly by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church and conservative groups. The police have secured a list of buses mobilized for the Liberation Day rally and are reviewing the application of charges against Pastor Jeon for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

On the 24th, Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong of the National Police Agency stated in a written briefing, "On the 20th of this month, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's dedicated investigation team received and is analyzing materials related to the Gwanghwamun rally from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency." The materials reportedly include data on charter buses and participants mobilized for the Liberation Day rally, secured by Park Joo-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Currently, the police are using a 'Rapid Response Team' consisting of 8,559 personnel to track the whereabouts of Liberation Day rally participants and Sarang Jeil Church members. The police expect to identify the participants of the Liberation Day rally through analysis of these materials.

Investigations are also ongoing into Pastor Jeon's alleged violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and the obstruction of official duties by rally participants. Thirty individuals were arrested on the spot as flagrante delicto for assaulting police officers, and additional suspects are being identified through analysis of evidence materials. Among them, one person has been issued a pre-trial detention warrant by the court. Commissioner Kim emphasized, "We are investigating various allegations raised, including the submission of false member lists by Sarang Jeil Church members and violations of quarantine measures," adding, "We will conduct a strict investigation in accordance with laws and procedures."

Investigations and internal inquiries have also begun regarding 'fake news' about COVID-19 positive diagnoses. Currently, claims such as "Many tested positive at health centers, but tested negative upon retesting at hospitals, indicating false positives" are spreading widely, especially on conservative-leaning YouTube channels. Commissioner Kim stated, "If the production and distribution of false information obstructs national quarantine efforts and endangers public health, we will comprehensively review violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and strictly enforce judicial measures."

Meanwhile, regarding the controversial police 'Special Crackdown on Real Estate Market Disruption,' it has been confirmed that as of today, a total of 169 cases and 823 individuals have been apprehended. Among them, 34 have been sent to the prosecution with recommendations for indictment, and investigations are ongoing for 789 individuals.

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