Concerns Over 'Terror' Amid False Information and Violence Rampant During Elections

False Information Spread, Banner Vandalism, and Violence
Election Offenses Continue to Rise
1,350 Cases in 2020 General Election
2,614 Cases in 2022 Presidential Election
4,076 Cases in Local Elections Recorded

SNS Flooded with Fake News
Social Ideological Conflicts Intensify

Police Form Dedicated Protection Team for Key Figures

With less than 100 days remaining until the 22nd general election on April 10, it has been revealed that among election crimes occurring during past presidential, National Assembly, and local elections, the top offenses include spreading false information, damaging banners, and election violence. The attack on Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has also raised concerns about terrorist acts against politicians.

Rising Trend in Election Crimes... Sharp Increase in Violence During General Elections

According to the National Police Agency on the 5th, the number of election criminals recorded was 1,350 during the 2020 general election, 2,614 during the 2022 presidential election, and 4,076 during the 2022 local elections. By type of crime, during the general election, there were 317 cases (23.5%) of spreading false information, 230 cases (17.0%) of banner and poster damage, 116 cases (8.6%) of election violence, 109 cases (8.1%) of bribery, and 102 cases (7.6%) of distributing printed materials.

During the presidential election, there were 954 cases (36.5%) of spreading false information, 850 cases (32.5%) of banner and poster damage, 110 cases (4.2%) of election violence, 68 cases (2.6%) of bribery, and 66 cases (2.5%) of distributing printed materials. In the local elections, the order was 1,274 cases (31.2%) of spreading false information, 1,006 cases (24.7%) of bribery, 358 cases (8.8%) of banner and poster damage, 203 cases (5.0%) of distributing printed materials, and 84 cases (2.1%) of election violence.

In particular, election violence, spreading false information, and banner and poster damage showed a sharp increase in the fiercely competitive National Assembly and presidential elections. Compared to 2016, election violence during the 2020 general election increased about threefold. In the 2022 presidential election, election crimes involving spreading false information and election violence increased approximately ninefold and twofold, respectively, compared to 2017. The explosive rise in these crimes is analyzed to be due to the overflow of fake news on social networking services (SNS) and intensified social ideological conflicts.

The National Police Agency’s National Investigation Headquarters has been operating an election crime crackdown system since the 12th of last month. Election crime investigation task forces have been organized at police stations nationwide to strengthen intelligence gathering on various illegal election activities. Additionally, a cooperative system has been established with related organizations such as regional election commissions and prosecutors’ offices to crack down on election crimes. Furthermore, five major election crimes that undermine election fairness?bribery, spreading false information, public officials’ election involvement, election violence, and illegal group mobilization?have been selected for focused management.

Rising Social Conflicts... Police Anticipate Possible Increase in 'Terrorism'

The Police University’s Institute of Security Policy recently published ‘Security Network 2024,’ which, based on machine learning data analysis, forecasts that election crimes this year will increase by approximately 122% from the previous year, reaching 2,616 cases.

The institute particularly suggested that since terrorist incidents targeting key national factors continue to occur worldwide, it is necessary to prepare response manuals in advance and conduct tailored training. If terrorism occurs in South Korea, the motives are likely to be social issues, ideological conflicts, religious beliefs, or economic problems.

Following the attack on Lee Jae-myung on the 2nd, the police have formed a dedicated protection team for key figures and have begun early operation. The protection team is organized at the scale of 1 to 3 riot police units (60 to about 180 personnel) and is flexibly deployed according to the situation at metropolitan and provincial police agencies.

During major public schedules, the team conducts personal protection activities in consultation with political parties and is distinct from security personnel who provide 24-hour close protection. The police plan to establish safety measures and hotlines in advance in cooperation with the parties when key figures such as party leaders visit. At the visit sites, criminal investigation teams, riot police, and officers with uniformed and plainclothes experience will be actively deployed to block threats, with the local police chief or other commanders directly present to take command responsibility.

Professor Kim Do-woo of the Department of Police Science at Gyeongnam University said, “Although there are various election crimes, in the current heightened conflict situation, election violence may increase. While it may be difficult to prevent cases where individuals pretending to be supporters attack during campaigns, the police need to prepare comprehensive measures to prevent social chaos and maintain order.”

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