Prime Minister Kim: "Fake News Is a Clear Crime... Focused Crackdown on Pseudo-Media Outlets"

Prime Minister Minseok Kim, with just over 50 days left until the June 3 Nationwide Local Elections, stated on April 14, "Fake news is not freedom of expression. It is a challenge to democracy and a clear criminal act," adding, "The National Police Agency must conduct intensive crackdowns on pseudo-media outlets that spread false information."

Prime Minister Minseok Kim is speaking at the Fair Election Related Ministers Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on April 14, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

Presiding over the 'Fair Election Related Ministers Meeting' at the Government Seoul Office that afternoon, Prime Minister Kim also said, "In addition to fake news, we must respond firmly, with zero tolerance, to traditional election crimes such as bribery and the mobilization of illegal organizations." He further requested the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Communications Commission to "work closely with major platform operators to swiftly block the spread of fake news and false information at the early stages."

Prime Minister Kim emphasized, "With the rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, fake news, deepfake videos, and audio-based false information are becoming increasingly sophisticated and spreading widely in a short period of time, posing a significant threat to a fair election environment." He reiterated, "The government must do its utmost to ensure that these elections are conducted fairly and in an orderly manner."

He continued, "Administrative and financial support for stable election management must be carried out without fail," and requested, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and related ministries should work organically with the National Election Commission to flawlessly carry out statutory election duties such as allocating personnel and budget, and managing fair voting and ballot counting." He also urged that students, military personnel, the elderly, and people with disabilities be given the necessary support to exercise their voting rights smoothly.

As for the decision to hold the Fair Election Related Ministers Meeting earlier than usual, Prime Minister Kim explained, "It was to prevent confusion and disorder in the elections caused by generative AI technologies." He added, "The Government of Popular Sovereignty will do everything possible to ensure these elections are fairer and cleaner than ever before."

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