Presidential Office Files Complaint Against YouTuber Over 'Goodpan Suspicion and Yoon Couple Deepfake'

Presidential Office, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

On the 17th, the Presidential Office announced that it has filed complaints against the operators of two YouTube channels: one that raised so-called 'Gutpan suspicions' and another that distributed deepfake videos of President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife.

In a press release that afternoon, the Presidential Office stated, "We have filed complaints against the operator of a YouTube channel who spread unidentified false information by mentioning Gutpan and other matters, for defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act."

The Presidential Office explained, "The accused mentioned the false claim that a Gutpan was held on their channel on February 15, and despite being aware that the Presidential Office had filed a complaint against Shin Yong-han, who spread false information, they again broadcasted it as a definitive fact."

It added, "Furthermore, they spread slanderous false information suggesting that the related expenses were spent as special activity funds, thereby damaging the honor of the Presidential Office."

Earlier, on the 5th, the Presidential Office had filed a defamation complaint related to the 'Gutpan suspicions' against Shin Yong-han, a former professor at Seowon University and a member of Yoon Suk-yeol's presidential campaign team. Shin appeared as a witness at a National Assembly hearing and responded to a question from Min Byung-duk of the Democratic Party of Korea, who said, "There are reports that a level 4 administrative officer with a background in fortune-telling was hired by the Presidential Office," by stating, "I received such a tip." He claimed, "I received a report that the said employee simultaneously held a Gut at the five famous mountains known for so-called 'Youngbal' on the same day and at the same time."

On the same day, the Presidential Office also announced that it had filed complaints under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes against the operators of two YouTube channels who edited, synthesized, and processed deepfake videos combining the faces of President Yoon and his wife and distributed them.

The Presidential Office stated, "One accused repeatedly posted videos combining the faces of the President and his wife on their YouTube channel, and another accused distributed such videos publicly by screening them at a rally held in Gwangju Metropolitan City on the 15th."

It added, "By publicly defaming the Head of State of the Republic of Korea and their spouse as victims, the Presidential Office emphasizes that the production and distribution of false videos is an intolerable serious criminal act, and urges thorough investigation along with the filing of complaints against the accused."