A YouTuber who was investigated for spreading false information that a large number of mutilated bodies were found in Korea declared Japanese naturalization, then reversed the position a day later.
On the 3rd, according to online communities, the operator of the YouTube channel "Korean Teacher Daebojjang," which has about 970,000 subscribers, a person surnamed Cho (33), said in a recent video, "I decided to renounce my Korean nationality and naturalize in Japan."
Cho said, "I have thought about becoming Japanese since seven years ago," and added, "If I renounce my Korean nationality, my name will be removed from the family relationship certificate, so I could not decide easily, but I felt the time had come." However, Cho added, "If a guilty verdict is finalized in the ongoing criminal case, I may not be granted naturalization."
Cho is suspected of posting a video on the YouTube channel last Oct. containing false claims such as "There are 37 cases of bodies found with only the lower half in Korea," "If you include undisclosed cases, 187 cases," and "The number of missing persons reaches 80,000."
Police determined that if the false information spread overseas, it could damage Korea's national image and trust in public safety, and could also negatively affect foreigners' visits and investment. Accordingly, in Feb., they sent Cho to prosecutors without detention on suspicion of violating the Framework Act on Telecommunications and applied for pre-indictment preservation for confiscation of about 3.5 million won in advertising revenue earned from the false video.
Criticism also mounted among Japanese netizens. As reactions such as "Keep working in Korea" and "You take nationality too lightly" followed one after another, Cho posted an additional video on the 1st and withdrew the naturalization declaration.
Cho said, "I apologize to viewers who felt disappointed or offended," and added, "I reflect on having treated the sensitive issue of Japanese naturalization lightly." Cho continued, "Rather than becoming Japanese, I will work hard in Japan as a Korean."