[Summary] Fake News Claims "Vaccine Contains Chip" Surge... Citizens Outraged "Lives Are at Stake"

Spreading False Leaflets or Fake Information on SNS
"Rapid Vaccination Is Crucial... Irresponsible," Citizens Outraged
Police Chief: "Fake News Will Be Quickly Blocked and Deleted"

On the afternoon of the 25th, a quarantine official at Jung-gu Public Health Center in Munhwa-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon, is checking the stored AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccines. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] On the eve of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, fake news targeting the vaccine is becoming rampant, causing concern. A woman in her 60s was caught by the police for distributing leaflets containing false information about the COVID-19 vaccine on the streets, while false information has also been spreading through online communities and social networking services (SNS), increasing public anxiety.

The Metropolitan Investigation Unit of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 25th that they have booked A (68) without detention on charges of violating the Outdoor Advertisement Management Act.

A is suspected of posting 33 leaflets on bus stops and utility poles around Namdong-gu, Incheon, on the 8th, containing messages such as "The vaccine contains a chip" and "You will die if you get vaccinated."

The Nonhyeon Police Station in Incheon received a 112 emergency call on the 14th, and after investigation, arrested A on the following day (15th). Considering the seriousness of spreading fake news related to COVID-19, the case was handed over to the Metropolitan Investigation Unit.

It was investigated that A had received the leaflets at a church in Daejeon earlier this month. During police questioning, A stated, "I am uneducated and do not know Hangul well, so I thought it was a church leaflet containing doctrine and posted it."

The police found A's statement to be unreliable and plan to investigate whether there is a person who instructed the distribution of the leaflets containing fake news.

This is not the first time fake news related to vaccines has spread. Especially in online spaces such as online communities and YouTube, where information is transmitted quickly, false information about COVID-19 vaccine side effects is rampant.

Previously, a netizen posted a controversial message on the 21st in an online real estate cafe claiming that "one can go blind as a side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine."

False information about the COVID-19 vaccine posted on a real estate-related online community. / Photo by Internet homepage capture

In the post, the author claimed, "Among the side effects of the COVID vaccine is blindness. I would rather just catch COVID," and added, "There are various symptoms such as convulsions all day, paralysis of limbs, and death as vaccine side effects."

On YouTube, unverified fake news related to vaccines is also spreading. One YouTuber posted a video claiming, "You will get dementia if you get vaccinated," while another spread false information saying, "The vaccine causes genetic mutations in the body."

Amid this situation, citizens expressed their anxiety. Rapid vaccination is essential to end the COVID-19 pandemic, but if more people avoid vaccination due to fake news about vaccines, the damage could increase.

COVID-19 vaccines stored in a vaccine refrigerator. / Photo by Yonhap News

A man in his 20s, office worker A, said, "I once saw someone spreading conspiracy theories about the vaccine in the comments while watching the news," and added, "Vaccination is a matter of life and death, so I can't understand how someone can spread such irresponsible information."

There are also calls for a strong response against those spreading fake news. Office worker B (31) said, "The swift vaccination rollout is crucial to ending the national crisis encompassing the economy, society, and public health," and emphasized, "It is only natural to treat those who maliciously spread fake news as serious criminals."

Meanwhile, the police have stated their intention to respond strictly to fake news related to vaccines.

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, said at a regular briefing held at the National Police Agency on the 22nd, "We will cooperate with the Korea Communications Commission to promptly delete and block false and distorted news that incites public anxiety or obstructs vaccination," and added, "Depending on the case, we will initiate internal and external investigations to thoroughly uncover the truth."