Distributors of False Claims About 'Fake Presidential Statement' and '37 Lower-Body Corpses Found' Sent to Prosecution

[Financial News] Individuals who spread false information on YouTube and social networking services (SNS) have been referred to the prosecution.
The Cyber Investigation Division, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said on the 5th that, following an intensive crackdown on crimes involving fabricated and manipulated information using macros and other technical methods, it had referred two men in their 30s, identified as A and B, without physical detention on charges of disseminating false information in violation of the Framework Act on Telecommunications. A was sent to the prosecution on the 13th of last month, and B on the 19th.
A is accused of posting a false video on his YouTube channel on October 22 last year that claimed, "Currently, 37 bodies consisting only of lower halves have been found in Korea, and there are as many as 150 additional cases under non-disclosed investigation, bringing the total to 187," and "There are 80,000 missing persons in the Republic of Korea." He is reported to be a YouTuber with 960,000 subscribers.
Police said that on the 13th of last month they applied for pre-indictment preservation for confiscation of US$2,421 (about 3.5 million won), which they identified as criminal proceeds A earned through the video.
B is accused of posting on three occasions — November 13, 14, and 26 last year — on the social networking service (SNS) X (formerly Twitter), claiming to share a "public statement to the nation" in the name of President Lee Jae-myung. The posts falsely stated, "We will raise the capital gains tax on overseas stock transfers from 22% to 40%" and "We will introduce a 1% overseas stock holding tax. This measure will take effect on January 1, 2026."
A police official stated, "While we will protect freedom of expression to the greatest extent possible, we will respond firmly to criminal acts involving malicious or clearly false and fabricated information," adding, "We will do our utmost to help build a transparent and trustworthy society."
jyseo@fnnews.com Seo Ji-yoon Reporter