The National Police Agency has arrested 10 people suspected of spreading fake news online, including claims that 900,000 barrels of crude oil had flowed into North Korea, amid surging oil prices driven by recent instability in the Middle East.
Regarding fake news related to the Middle East war, the National Police Agency said Tuesday that "cyber investigation units at metropolitan and provincial police agencies across the country are investigating 38 accounts," adding that "10 people have been arrested so far." By type, five were arrested in connection with claims about crude oil (900,000 barrels) flowing into North Korea, and five in connection with claims of an emergency financial order (forced sale of dollars, foreign exchange restrictions, and similar measures).
Police have requested the deletion of posts from the 38 accounts currently under investigation. Posts from 21 of these accounts have already been removed.
As full-scale police investigations proceeded, some suspects corrected their posts, issued apologies, or voluntarily deleted content around the time of their appearance at police stations. A police official said, "The National Police Agency will swiftly pursue investigations into other accounts currently under review," adding, "We will actively respond to malicious and organized false information related to the Middle East war that causes social unrest."
