Ministry of Justice Establishes Punishment Regulation for Murder Threat Posts, Prosecutors Detain Six for 'Murder Threat'

Charges Including Threats, Obstruction of Official Duties by Deception, and Murder Preparation Applied
Not Just a Prank but a Crime... "Maximum Legal Penalty Applied"

The Ministry of Justice announced that it will establish punishment regulations for "posts predicting murder or individuals carrying weapons in public places." Meanwhile, the prosecution has arrested six people who posted 'murder prediction' messages targeting unspecified masses online.

According to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 9th, the prosecution obtained arrest warrants for these individuals on charges including intimidation, obstruction of official duties by deception, and attempted murder.

A man in his 20s, Mr. A, who predicted the murder of a woman near Sillim Station in Seoul, where a stabbing incident occurred last month, was arrested on the 27th of last month. A 19-year-old man, Mr. B, who was caught carrying two weapons at the Seoul Express Bus Terminal, had an arrest warrant issued on the 6th.

A man in his 30s, Mr. C, suspected of posting messages about committing a stabbing rampage at Hyehwa Station in Seoul, was arrested on the 7th, and a man in his 20s, Mr. D, who posted a message predicting a stabbing rampage at Sillim Station, was arrested on the 8th.

On the 7th, a man in his 40s, Mr. E, who posted a message on an online community stating, "I will kill 10 women only on Rodeo Street in Bupyeong, Incheon," had an arrest warrant issued. A teenage boy, Mr. F, who commented on a news video about a stabbing rampage uploaded on YouTube saying, "I will kill a family visiting an amusement park," was also arrested on the 8th.

Amid a nationwide surge in "murder threats," on the 7th, a citizen in Jung-gu, Daegu, was checking real-time threat posts on a website that organizes and reports "murder threats."
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Until now, such posts have been subject to relatively light punishment under laws such as the Minor Offenses Act.

However, following recent stabbing rampage incidents at Sillim Station and Seohyeon Station, the prosecution announced it would impose strict penalties as online murder prediction posts surged.

If a concrete intention to commit the crime is confirmed, they will actively apply charges such as attempted murder and proceed with arrests. Under the Criminal Act, a person who prepares or conspires to commit murder can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office stated, "Posting threats predicting murder online cannot be dismissed as a 'simple prank,'" adding, "It is a crime that amplifies public anxiety and prevents police and public safety administration resources from being used where they are needed in a timely manner," and declared a strong response policy.

Earlier, on the 6th, Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok held an emergency meeting after stabbing rampage incidents occurred and online murder prediction posts continued to appear, instructing, "From the initial investigation stage, cooperate with the police to ensure the maximum legal punishment is imposed."

Prosecutor General Lee emphasized, "Apply all applicable criminal laws, including attempted murder and obstruction of official duties by deception, in addition to intimidation charges, for online threat posts targeting unspecified masses nationwide. Thoroughly investigate the motives, backgrounds, means, and methods of the crimes and actively consider arrest investigations."

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