Former and current Gyeongnam provincial officials and others suspected of involvement in producing a video tied to the "deepfake allegations" that surfaced during the June 3 local elections in the Park Wan-su Gyeongnam governor campaign are facing possible arrest.
The Changwon District Court on the afternoon of the 28th held a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant review) for three former and current Gyeongnam Provincial Government officials and the head of a design firm.
They are suspected of working for the Park Wan-su Gyeongnam governor campaign ahead of the June 3 local elections, ordering the production of a deepfake video slandering candidate Kim, and providing internal provincial government materials and money.
In particular, former official A and current official B are also suspected of setting up a separate, similar election office for producing the deepfake video and related activities.
Police sought pre-arrest warrants for the four on the 20th. Prosecutors requested the warrants from the court four days later, leading to Wednesday's review. The review was originally set for the 27th but was postponed by a day at the suspects' request.
Former official C, who appeared in court Wednesday, told reporters, "Many facts are very different," saying the person would contest the charges. The person added, "I will explain fully."
A decision on whether to arrest them is expected late Wednesday.