The election campaign committee for Lee Jae-myung, a preliminary candidate of the Democratic Party, stated on the 16th that they would file charges and hold those disseminating false manipulated information, such as deepfake videos, legally accountable.
The committee explained that, although they had strongly warned against the distribution of false manipulated information such as deepfake videos last week, they confirmed the continued spread of such videos containing defamatory content against the candidate.
They reported that these videos exploit deepfake technology to frame Lee as pro-Chinese and anti-American, and demonize him, also noting multiple incidents of false information being spread that damaged the candidate’s reputation.
The committee announced legal actions against Kim and Seong Chang-gyeong, along with 17 others (in 9 cases) for spreading false information.
They emphasized that they would also report bloggers and others disseminating videos containing false information to the authorities for violating the Public Official Election Act, urging law enforcement to conduct immediate investigations.
They expressed concern that the accused’s actions had been carried out with the dishonest intent to influence the election. If prompt investigations and punishments are not carried out, the fairness of the election will be compromised, causing immense public harm that cannot be recovered.
Finally, they warned that this report is not the end and promised to impose strict legal responsibilities on disseminators of false manipulated information like deepfakes through thorough monitoring.