During the 21st presidential election, three individuals who posted threats and death threats against President Lee Jae Myung on social networking services (SNS) were referred to the prosecution without detention.
President Lee Jae Myung is speaking at an on-site meeting to eradicate unfair trading in the stock market held at the Korea Exchange in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
The Cyber Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 13th that a man in his 50s, referred to as A, another man in his 50s, referred to as B, and a woman in her 20s, referred to as C, have been referred without detention on charges including intimidation.
According to the police, these individuals are accused of posting threats and death threats against President Lee on SNS or attempting to recruit an assassination team. All three admitted to writing the threatening posts, but stated that they had no intention of actually carrying them out, claiming it was "just a prank" and similar explanations.
The police are also investigating a woman in her 20s, referred to as D, who is suspected of mentioning the assassination of President Lee during an online broadcast. It is reported that on June 3, during an online broadcast related to the presidential election, D stated, "Shouldn't someone take the lead and assassinate him?" when it became clear that President Lee would win the election.
A police official stated, "Posting threatening messages is clearly a crime, even if there is no intent to actually commit the crime," and added, "The police will pursue cases involving posts that threaten or incite harm to the very end."
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