KCC: "COVID-19 Fake News Hinders Quarantine... Constitutes Legal Violation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] The Korea Communications Commission reiterated its policy to strictly respond to false and manipulated information such as fake news that obstructs COVID-19 quarantine activities and threatens the lives and safety of the public.

On the 25th, the KCC requested through a separate statement that if false and manipulated information that obstructs COVID-19 quarantine activities or causes social confusion is discovered, it should be reported to the National Police Agency (Cyber Crime Reporting Website) or the Korea Communications Standards Commission (☎1377 or website). This is based on the judgment that the recent nationwide spread of COVID-19 has worsened the situation due to fake news spreading, such as claims that quarantine authorities manipulated test results of congregants of certain churches or that COVID-19 is not transmitted outdoors.

The KCC expressed concern, stating, "Above all, rapid detection and action are important in cases of false and manipulated information," and added, "The rapidly spreading fake news is fostering distrust in the health authorities' diagnostic results and encouraging refusal of testing." Under current law, COVID-19 fake news may be punishable under charges such as obstruction of official duties, obstruction of business (Criminal Act), and defamation (Criminal Act and Information and Communications Network Act), depending on the content.

Earlier, on the 21st, KCC Chairman Sang-hyuk Han also stated in a public address, "The act of spreading false and manipulated information, that is, fake news, is a serious social crime that undermines public trust in national quarantine policies and threatens the lives and safety of the people," and "COVID-19 related fake news will be tracked and managed more strictly and swiftly blocked to eradicate it."

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