National Police Agency Holds Fake News Task Force Meeting, Vows Stern Response

The government is designating fake news as a 'serious crime' and launching a strong crackdown amid uncertainty stemming from the prolonged Middle East conflict. This action is a follow-up to a directive issued by then-President Lee Jae-myung at a cabinet meeting on April 6, calling for strict measures against fake news that disrupts national affairs.

On the 9th, Minister of Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung chaired a Fake News Response TF meeting at the National Police Agency and visited Namguro Market to inspect government measures aimed at preventing national confusion and stabilizing the people's economy in the context of the protracted Middle East war. Minister Yoon visited the National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters to chair the 'Fake News Response TF' meeting and reviewed the process of deleting and blocking fake news by the dedicated response unit. He stated that fake news circulated during this critical period due to the Middle East war is a serious criminal act that causes national confusion and undermines the foundation of democracy, vowing a strong response based on the principle of zero tolerance, from the initial creator to organized dissemination.

Furthermore, Minister Yoon requested the preparation of countermeasures against phishing and smishing crimes that exploit the Middle East war to solicit actions such as flight cancellations, rebookings, or donations for refugees.