Japanese-Based YouTuber Charged for Spreading False "37 Bodies Found in Korea" Claims

A Korea-based YouTuber operating in Japan has been referred to prosecutors for spreading false information claiming multiple mutilated bodies were discovered in Korea through online communities and YouTube.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Cyber Investigation Unit announced on the 5th that it had forwarded the case of Cho, a man in his 30s known as YouTuber "Daebojjang" with 960,000 subscribers, to prosecutors without detention on charges of violating the Framework Act on Telecommunications on the 13th of last month.

On October 22 last year, Cho uploaded a video to his YouTube channel titled "The serious problem of murder and organ trafficking by Chinese criminals who recently entered Korea without visas." In the video, he presented as fact claims that "37 bodies with only lower halves remaining were discovered in Korea" and "more than 150 confidential investigations are ongoing."

After the false information spread, police launched an investigation into Cho in November of the same year. They summoned him as a suspect and questioned him about the background of opening the YouTube channel and the circumstances of posting the video. During the police investigation, Cho reportedly denied intentional fabrication, stating he "intended to raise awareness because he believed Chinese crime was actually increasing."

In November of the same year, the National Police Agency designated such video postings as "acts seriously undermining national interests" and directed the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to investigate. Police also filed a pre-indictment request to preserve approximately $2,421 (about 3.5 million won) in criminal proceeds Cho earned from the video.

Meanwhile, in a video posted to his YouTube channel on the 4th, Cho appealed his innocence, saying "I have never instigated conflict or spread fake news" and "I only introduced information and comments posted on the internet."