"400 Confirmed Cases" Fake News... Government "Considering Investigation Request" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] On the 19th, amid the spread of fake news on social networking services (SNS) claiming that the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has surpassed 400, the government warned, "Legal punishment can be imposed for creating false statistics."

Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a back briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex that day regarding COVID-19-related fake news, "It can cause significant social confusion."

The daily COVID-19 confirmed case status is officially announced by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) at 9:30 a.m. based on data as of midnight of the day.

Son said, "If uncertain information about quarantine spreads, there is a risk of damaging trust in the quarantine system," adding, "Creating false statistics other than the official statistics itself can be subject to legal punishment."

The government is currently reviewing a formal investigation request regarding COVID-19-related fake news in consultation with the CDCH and the National Police Agency. Son raised his voice, saying, "Whether the creator of the fake news did it for fun or with intent is unknown, but it can cause various confusion and anxiety," calling it "an undesirable act."

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