People Power Party "Democratic Labor Union Assaulted Police, Causing Coma"
Police Clarify Coma Claim Is False
Regarding the People Power Party's release of a commentary citing fake news, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged the party to respond strongly, including filing for damages.
Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung, floor leader Park Chan-dae, and Supreme Council member Kim Min-seok are attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 6th. Photo by Yonhap News
At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 6th, after watching the demonstration of the 'Democratic Police Station' by Jeon Yong-gi, head of the Democratic Party's National Communication Committee, Lee said, "The People Power Party issued a fake commentary based on fake news claiming that a police officer fell into a coma after being beaten by protesters," adding, "They are labeling citizens who stay up all night as rioters, so please report on their behalf." He continued, "It should not end with just a complaint; financial treatment and damages should also be provided," emphasizing, "Fines alone are too weak. After paying fines, they should also be able to pay damages to show that spreading fake news results in enormous financial losses."
Lee requested Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party, saying, "It is difficult to file (damage claims) directly," and asked, "Please establish a system with a legal support team, lawyers, and attorneys who can represent those harmed by fake news in lawsuits and provide financial treatment." Jeon replied, "We will establish a (damage claim and lawsuit representation) system."
The People Power Party's 'Real News Discovery Team' distributed a press release the day before titled "After insubordination, have they lost their minds... Acting Commissioner Lee Ho-young of the National Police Agency left work early in this situation," claiming, "An incident occurred where members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) brutally assaulted police officers at a pro-impeachment rally." They also attached a post from the anonymous workplace community 'Blind' stating, "Our employee was hit on the head by a KCTU member and is in a coma."
The police stated that although some officers were injured in the face during clashes at the rally, the claim of a coma was not true.
Meanwhile, on the same day, the Democratic Party demonstrated the Democratic Police Station, an institution that reports and takes action such as filing complaints against fake news related to the December 3 emergency martial law declaration. Jeon said, "We established the Democratic Police Station to effectively block the spread of false and manipulated information and to restore public trust," adding, "If citizens report a lot, we will respond actively and prevent further circulation of false and manipulated information by filing complaints."
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