Man in his 50s Sent to Prosecution for Over 100 False Reports Claiming "Killed Someone"

A Man in His 50s Who Made Over 100 False Reports
Gets Caught After Reporting "I Think I Killed Someone"

A man who made over 100 false reports in Gumi-si, Gyeongbuk Province, will face criminal charges.

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On the 27th, Yonhap News reported that the Gumi Police Station in Gyeongbuk sent Mr. A (in his 50s) to prosecution without detention on charges of obstruction of official duties by deception. Mr. A is accused of making a false report to 112 on the 25th of last month in Sagok-dong, Gumi-si, saying, "I think I killed someone."

It was investigated that Mr. A made about 100 false reports recently, including last year, such as "An acquaintance is threatening with a knife" and "I killed someone," to 112. Due to Mr. A's reports, the district police patrol team, detective team, and firefighters were dispatched to the scene, wasting public authority resources.

The Gumi Police Station cited the National Police Agency's recent 3-year data on '112 false reports and punishment status' and announced that they will respond strictly to such cases. According to the data, the number of false reports steadily increased: ▲2021 (4,153 cases) ▲2022 (4,235 cases) ▲2023 (5,038 cases). The police's punishment rate for false reports also rose: ▲2021 (90.5%) ▲2022 (93.2%) ▲2023 (96.1%).

Meanwhile, making a false report to 112 can result in a fine of up to 600,000 KRW, detention, or a penalty under the Minor Offenses Act, as well as punishment for obstruction of official duties by deception under the Criminal Act. If the dispatched police officers suffer mental damage, civil compensation must also be paid. Starting July 3, the 'Act on the Operation and Handling of 112 Reports (112 Basic Act)' will be enforced, allowing for the imposition of fines up to 5 million KRW on false reporters.