The police have arrested a man in his 20s for repeatedly posting derogatory content about Japanese military comfort women and distorting historical facts on internet communities. This marks the first arrest under the newly revised comfort women law, which includes penalties for the dissemination of false information.
The Cyber Investigation Unit of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency announced on the 28th that they have sent the suspect, identified as A, to prosecutors without detention for allegedly creating and distributing false posts about comfort women on platforms such as DC Inside, Ilbe, and FM Korea. This is a violation of the law regarding the protection, support, and commemoration of victims of Japanese military comfort women.
According to the police, A is accused of posting 211 times on major online communities since July, mocking comfort women and distorting their experiences. Investigations revealed that A acted without any specific motive, seeking attention online.
The police identified A through their own monitoring efforts and initiated an investigation to confirm his identity. This incident is the first case of an arrest and referral to prosecutors since the new penalties for disseminating false information about comfort women were enacted on June 11 of this year.
Under the revised comfort women law and its enforcement decree, anyone who distorts facts or disseminates false information about comfort women with the intent to defame them can face up to five years in prison or fines of up to 50 million won. This constitutes a serious crime, with the maximum fine set five times higher than that for defamation under the criminal law.
The law applies broadly to various forms of media, including information and communication networks, newspapers, magazines, broadcasts, as well as events such as gatherings, lectures, exhibitions, performances, and screenings. However, exceptions are made for legitimate purposes such as academic research, artistic activities, and reporting.
A police official emphasized that the dissemination of false information about comfort women not only insults the victims and their families but also spreads incorrect historical perceptions, leading to social confusion. He added that the police will continue to rigorously investigate malicious and blatant acts of producing and disseminating false information that exceed the bounds of free expression.
Meanwhile, Kim Byeong-heon, the representative of the Citizens' Action for the Abolition of the Comfort Women Law, who has faced backlash for disparaging comfort women as 'prostitutes,' is currently on trial for charges including defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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