President Lee: "Fake News Causes Massive Social Conflict and Division… Must Respond Sternly"

President Lee Jae-myung strongly criticized the National Election Commission's poor management regarding the recent June 3 local election situation, while simultaneously drawing a line against claims of "election fraud" and ordering a stern response to fake news.
In his opening remarks at the 27th Cabinet meeting and the 12th emergency economic inspection meeting presided over at the Blue House this morning (the 23rd), President Lee stated, "It is true that (election management) was poor, but does that mean the entire election itself was fraudulent?"
He pointed out, "The spread of fake news, mockery, hatred, and manipulation no longer ends with harm to just one or two individuals as it did in the past; it now causes massive social conflict and division." He emphasized, "We must evaluate this differently than in the past because it incurs enormous social costs."
He added, "In the past, these things were dismissed as 'pranks' or 'excessive expressions,' but now they seem to be becoming systematic means of attack or tools for gaining unfair profits," and continued, "There is an aspect where artificial intelligence (AI) is used to create content so realistic that no one can identify it as fake, spreading clear falsehoods to incite conflict or gain unfair advantages."
President Lee criticized the situation, saying, "Even if it is true that someone started such a rumor, if the rumor is not true, they must be held accountable for spreading false information." He added, "There are many cases where the irresponsible act of publicly spreading falsehoods is treated as if it were natural, or even abused as if it were conveying the truth."
He then ordered, "In cases of disputes, I would like investigative agencies to act sternly," adding, "It would be good if investigative agencies increased the intensity of accountability."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.