Tomorrow is April Fools' Day... Fake news pranks can lead to maximum imprisonment

COVID-19 and N번방 Social Issues
Uncontrolled Spread of Fake News
Concerns Over Information Infection via SNS

"Contact with COVID-19 Patient"
False Statement Leads to Arrest and Prosecution of 20s

Malicious False Reports Like Bomb Threats
Punished Without Leniency

Photo by Getty Images Bank

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) increases, various fake news is spreading mainly online. Additionally, fake news related to the Nth Room incident is being indiscriminately produced. With April Fools' Day just a day away, some are expressing concerns about an "information infection" phenomenon due to the rampant spread of such fake news.

Recently, on social networking services (SNS) including Facebook, fake news claiming that "the government is preventing doctors from conducting COVID-19 tests" has been circulating. The COVID-19 suspected patient guidelines were revised so that previously, if a doctor suspected infection based on their opinion, testing was possible; however, now testing is only conducted if pneumonia is visible on CT or X-ray scans. Otherwise, the test costs 160,000 KRW, which most elderly people refuse. It was also explained that this is to prevent an increase in infections before the general election.

In response, the Central Disease Control Headquarters strongly denied these claims. In a press release, the Central Disease Control Headquarters emphasized, "Cases without confirmed links to cluster outbreaks continue to occur, so diagnostic testing is possible if COVID-19 is suspected based on a doctor's opinion."

Fake news surrounding Jo Joo-bin (24), who was arrested for operating the "Baksa Room" on Telegram and producing and distributing sexually exploitative videos targeting minors and women, is also rampant. Unverified claims mentioning that Jo is from Jeolla Province are being used to disparage the region.

Meanwhile, with April Fools' Day approaching, it is expected that various fake news and prank calls related to social issues will increase. In fact, on April Fools' Day in the past, there was a major commotion when a prank call reporting an explosive device led to the deployment of police special forces and military bomb disposal teams. Especially this year, with major social issues such as COVID-19 and the Nth Room incident, caution regarding fake news is required.

Penalties for spreading fake news or making prank calls to police or fire stations under the pretext of April Fools' Day are not light. Recently, a man in his 20s was arrested and prosecuted after falsely claiming to have contacted patient number 31 at the Shincheonji Church in Daegu and undergoing COVID-19 testing at a public health center.

According to current law, prank calls or false reports can be punished under Article 137 of the Criminal Act for obstruction of official duties by deception, with imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 10 million KRW. In particular, the National Police Agency enforces a "one-strike-out system," punishing without leniency even a single malicious false report that wastes police resources, such as reports of explosives or violent crimes.

Under the Fire Services Act, Article 56 imposes a fine of up to 2 million KRW for falsely reporting situations requiring fire or rescue/first aid, and under the 119 Rescue and First Aid Act, Article 30 imposes the same fine for falsely reporting emergencies requiring rescue or first aid activities.

A police official explained, "The moment someone makes a false report or prank call could be a precious time between life and death for someone else," adding, "Since the damage caused by thoughtless prank calls to the police or fire stations ultimately affects other citizens, mature civic consciousness is necessary."