Among the 90 people arrested in connection with the riot at the Seoul Western District Court, it is known that three YouTubers were included, raising concerns that YouTube channels reproducing various conspiracy theories incited violent acts by supporters of President Yoon Suk-yeol.
On the 18th, when the pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review) was held with President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was arrested on charges of leading an insurrection, appearing in court, supporters of President Yoon attempted to climb over the courthouse fence at the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
According to YouTube statistics site 'Playboard' on the 20th, from 9 a.m. on the 18th to 9 a.m. on the 19th, around the time of the Western District Court violence, eight out of the top 10 domestic channels by 'Super Chat' (small cash donations) revenue reproduced 'fraudulent election conspiracy theories,' with their Super Chat earnings totaling about 25 million KRW, reported Yonhap News and others on the same day. Considering advertising and personal account donations, these YouTubers' earnings are expected to be even higher.
Song Mo (31), operator of the YouTube channel 'Jeolmeun Sigak' (Young Perspective), who joined the protesters that day, stormed into the Western District Court, and even broadcasted scenes of being arrested by the police, earning about 8.5 million KRW from Super Chats alone that day. When caught by the police during filming, Song responded, "Ah, I'm filming," and when the police read him his Miranda rights, he claimed, "The person who caused the trouble is someone else; I am a YouTuber." Song's YouTube channel has 830,000 subscribers.
It is reported that seven YouTube channels live-streamed the scene at the Western District Court at the time. The police stated that among those arrested for trespassing at the Western District Court, three were YouTubers.
Subscribers respond with Super Chats to the provocative and inflammatory remarks made by these YouTubers, showing their support. When one YouTuber made the absurd claim that "IU and NewJeans are connected to the election vote counting machine company cartel and support China and impeachment," subscribers sent Super Chats, saying it was a "flawless and solid logic."
Experts pointed out that in the YouTube ecosystem where sensational content gains attention, concerns that extreme political content could drive supporters to extreme actions have become a reality. Professor Lee Jun-han of the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy at Incheon National University told Yonhap News, "It has long been the case that politicians and YouTubers pull people to one side, making YouTube a 'dangerous tool.' There is no sharp countermeasure other than enhancing self-regulation capabilities."
It is also noted that the progressive camp exerts strong influence by acting as a megaphone for extreme supporters.
Meanwhile, the police stated that they are closely examining the punishment of YouTubers who unlawfully entered the court in connection with the Western District Court riot. Acting Commissioner of the National Police Agency Lee Ho-young said during a National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee inquiry that when Democratic Party lawmaker Yang Bu-nam asked, "Shouldn't there be thorough investigations and measures to stop revenue generation for far-right YouTubers? Are there plans for strict actions such as account suspension?" he replied, "I understand that the investigative function is currently examining this closely."
However, legal experts also note that, apart from YouTubers being punished for participating in the Western District Court violence on-site, holding them responsible for inciting others to trespass requires several conditions, such as whether there were statements or acts intended to encourage the intrusion and whether viewers actually watched the YouTube videos and acted on them.
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