South Korea Pledges Zero Tolerance for Misinformation Ahead of June Local Elections

South Korean authorities have launched a comprehensive crackdown on election-related misinformation ahead of the June 3 nationwide local elections, with Prime Minister Kim Min-seok calling fake news and smear campaigns “enemies of democracy” that require swift legal action.

Speaking at a government meeting with ministers and agency chiefs Thursday, Kim emphasized that false information targeting government policies, public officials, and political candidates poses a serious threat to the democratic process.

“Actions that create and distribute fake news to disrupt the political or electoral order must be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law and principles,” Kim said. “Eradicating them without any tolerance is the way to safeguard democracy.”

The Prime Minister highlighted growing concerns about the evolving nature of disinformation, particularly as it becomes intertwined with commercial interests and artificial intelligence capabilities. He warned that AI-generated fake news released immediately before an election could significantly impact results, requiring “a far greater sense of urgency than in the past.”

In a rare joint appearance underscoring the government’s unified approach, Acting Prosecutor General Koo Ja-hyeon and Acting Korea National Police Agency Commissioner General Yoo Jae-seong pledged zero tolerance toward election-related disinformation during a press conference following the ministerial meeting.

“Ahead of the elections, we will mobilize all available means to respond firmly to election crimes,” Koo stated. “We will utilize all investigative techniques, including forensic science, and track crimes involving overseas servers through international judicial cooperation so that such offenses cannot take root in our society.”

Police have already intensified enforcement efforts since January, targeting organized online disinformation networks. Authorities have apprehended 110 suspects, with six placed under arrest, while investigations continue in 199 additional cases. Officials have also requested the deletion or blocking of 1,074 pieces of harmful content through relevant regulatory channels.

The crackdown includes specialized task forces dedicated to election crime investigation across national police agencies and a separate unit focused specifically on combating false information, operational since October 2023. Provincial police cyber investigation units are handling major cases directly.

Kim instructed the Korea Communications Commission to strengthen its coordination role as the government’s regulatory authority, while directing prosecutors and police to conduct thorough investigations to identify and prosecute sources of fake news.

South Korea’s battle against election misinformation has evolved significantly in recent years as digital manipulation tools become increasingly sophisticated. The country’s experience with the “Druking” scandal following the 2017 presidential election serves as a cautionary example of how coordinated digital manipulation can distort public discourse.

In that case, an online group used automated programs to manipulate comment sections on major news portals, artificially boosting certain political narratives while suppressing others. The scandal resulted in multiple convictions and prompted increased scrutiny over social media’s role in elections.

The current enforcement push represents South Korea’s most aggressive stance yet on digital disinformation, reflecting growing concerns about technology-enabled threats to electoral integrity. Officials have emphasized that enforcement will target violators regardless of their political affiliations or social status.

As South Korean voters prepare to cast ballots in the June elections, authorities are urging public vigilance against misleading information while pledging to use all available legal tools to preserve electoral fairness in an increasingly complex digital environment.