A YouTuber who is under investigation for spreading fake news about the massive discovery of mutilated bodies in Korea has announced plans to seek naturalization in Japan.

Cho, a 33-year-old operator of a YouTube channel with 950,000 subscribers, recently stated in a video, "I will renounce my South Korean citizenship and naturalize in Japan."

Cho said, "I wanted to become a Japanese citizen starting seven years ago, but postponed it due to family relations," adding, "I have decided that now is the time."

However, Cho acknowledged that the ongoing criminal case could impact the naturalization review.

Cho stated, "Since the Japanese naturalization review checks criminal records, if the case currently under investigation leads to a trial and a final guilty verdict, there is a possibility that I will not receive naturalization approval."

Previously, Cho was accused of broadcasting false information in October of last year, claiming that "37 lower-body-only remains have been found in Korea" and that "the number of missing persons has reached 80,000," presenting the claims as if they were true.

Considering that fake news has a severe negative impact on national security and public image, police forwarded Cho to prosecutors without detention in February under charges of violating the Framework Act on Telecommunications.

Police also applied for a pre-indictment asset preservation order for 3.5 million won in advertising revenue generated from the video in question.

In response, Cho reportedly denied the allegations, stating, "I only introduced information posted on the internet and have never spread fake news."

(Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong, Video by Lee Da-in, Design by Lee Jung-joo, Produced by SBS Digital News)