Ministry of Interior and Safety, Ministry of Justice: "Strong Response to Fake News... Focused Crackdown on Election Crimes"

Ministers Yun Hojung and Jeong Seongho Deliver Public Statement on May 20

Urging Voter Participation... Expressing Commitment to Fair Elections

On May 20, the government announced that it would respond firmly with a zero-tolerance policy toward election crimes such as false and fake news ahead of the June 3 local elections.

Yoon Hojung, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, is delivering a public statement regarding the 9th simultaneous local elections at the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 20th. Provided by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety

Yun Hojung, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and Jeong Seongho, Minister of Justice, delivered a public statement at the Seoul Government Complex on this day, 14 days before the local elections, expressing a strong commitment to ensuring fair elections.

First, the government stated that it will take strong action based on a zero-tolerance principle against malicious and repeated fake news, as well as election crimes such as bribery. Minister Yun said, "The government will make every effort to ensure that this election goes down in our constitutional history as the fairest and cleanest election ever," adding, "We will thoroughly root out fake news through close cooperation not only within the government, but also with the private sector."

Minister Jeong announced that the authorities have designated major election crimes — such as false and fake news, black propaganda, bribery, election interference by public officials, and election-related violence — as key targets for intensive crackdown. He stated that all available resources are being mobilized and a thorough investigation will be conducted in cooperation with relevant agencies.

He stressed, "The Ministry of Justice and the prosecution will actively utilize scientific investigative techniques such as digital forensics to trace the distribution channels and uncover those behind the dissemination of false information, including cases where artificial intelligence (AI) technology is misused."

Additionally, the government encouraged voters to participate actively in the local elections, emphasizing that these elections determine the representatives who will work closest to the people in their communities. Companies and employers were also asked to cooperate so that workers are able to exercise their right to vote.

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