Lee Eun-ju Slams 'Fake News as Nation-Wrecking' Over YouTuber's Arrest Warrant

Lee Eun-ju, a supreme council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the police's application for an arrest warrant for conservative YouTuber Jeon Han-gil, stating, “I don’t know why the warrant was requested only now,” and pointed out that fake news causes immense damage to the nation. The supreme council member announced the news of Mr. Jeon’s arrest warrant application on her social media service (SNS) that day, claiming that false, distorted, and biased fake news causes enormous harm not only to victims but also to the public and the nation.

Mr. Jeon had been accused by the Democratic Party and others for spreading claims such as alleged illegitimate children of President Lee Jae-myung, accusations of overseas slush fund creation and preparations for exile to China, and false academic qualifications for Lee Jun-seok, leader of the New Reform Party.

The supreme council member pointed out that the spread of fake news can lead to incorrect public perception and judgment, resulting in flawed political decision-making and steering the country in the wrong direction. She urged for immediate implementation of aggravated penalties or increased liability for damages, considering the rapid speed of online dissemination and scale of spread. Lee added that considering the ripple effects of information errors in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), it is necessary to consider establishing a system that automatically screens for fake news and triggers immediate indictment and aggravated punishment for intentional disregard.