Police have launched an investigation into people who posted content online containing false information about the May 18 pro-democracy uprising.
The Korean National Police Agency National Office of Investigation (NOI) said on the 22nd, "We are currently investigating the authors of multiple posts claiming 'May 18 was a riot' and of newspaper-style posts that appear to have used generative artificial intelligence (AI) alleging 'North Korean orders and spy involvement.'"
Since the day before, fake newspaper articles that stole the nameplates of Gwangju-area newspapers have spread on social media (SNS) and elsewhere. They contained false claims such as "5.18, spies receiving orders from the North seize an armory and indiscriminately attack martial law troops."
The Korean National Police Agency said, "We will actively investigate false information related to May 18 under a zero-tolerance principle and will also request deletion and blocking in parallel," adding, "To ensure the meaning of the May 18 pro-democracy uprising is not undermined, police will respond strictly to the dissemination of false information."