Seoul: Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on Thursday called for rooting out fake news with the help of the prosecution and the police, saying such misinformation threatens democracy ahead of elections. Kim issued the call during a meeting with relevant ministers and agency chiefs with the nationwide local elections less than four months away on June 3.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim emphasized that fake news and smear campaigns that distort government policies, spread false accusations against members of the government, and undermine specific candidates or parties are a public enemy of democracy. He stressed the importance of maintaining the freedom of expression while also ensuring that acts of intentionally creating and distributing fake news are strictly handled according to the law and principles.

Kim warned that anyone caught producing fake news will not be condoned regardless of their social standing, emphasizing that rooting it out with zero tolerance is essential for defending democracy. He urged the prosecution and the police to conduct swift and thorough investigations to eliminate fake news, highlighting its potential impact on election results.

At a press briefing following the meeting, acting Prosecutor General Koo Ja-hyeon pointed out the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology and the potential for its increased exploitation for fake news and election crimes. He assured that the prosecution would respond strictly, utilizing all possible means against election offenders who distribute fake news ahead of the local elections.

Acting police chief Yoo Jae-seong added that the police force recently formed teams dedicated to investigating election crimes at stations nationwide and launched a special crackdown on acts of spreading false information.