According to authorities, on March 5, the Cyber Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency sent a man in his 30s, identified as Cho, to prosecutors without detention on charges of violating the Telecommunications Basic Act. Police also requested a pre-indictment seizure of approximately $2,369 (about 3.5 million KRW) in alleged criminal profits earned through his YouTube videos.
Cho operates a YouTube channel called “Korean Teacher Daebojjang”, which has about 960,000 subscribers and delivers news related to Korea in Japanese. He is accused of posting a video on October 22 last year claiming that “37 bodies with only lower halves were discovered in Korea” and that “there are 150 undisclosed investigations.” The video also allegedly claimed that around 80,000 people are missing in South Korea, further spreading misinformation.
Additionally, the content suggested that violent crimes such as murder and organ trafficking had surged after Chinese nationals were allowed visa-free entry into Korea. Authorities determined that these claims were false information intended to mislead viewers.
In November last year, the National Police Agency described Cho’s actions as “a serious act harming national interests” and ordered the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to launch an investigation. Following the probe, investigators concluded that the content involved the deliberate distribution of false information through online platforms.
Cho has denied the allegations through his YouTube channel. He claimed he did not intentionally spread false news or provoke conflict, stating that he merely introduced information and comments circulating online. “I only introduced information and comments posted on the internet,” he said.
He also insisted that his content had helped improve Japanese viewers’ perceptions of Korea. “I submitted comments and evidence showing that people say Japan views Korea more positively thanks to me,” he added, while also saying his lawyer found the investigation unusual.
Police emphasized that while freedom of expression should be respected, the deliberate spread of clear and intentional false information will be handled strictly.
Sources: fnnews
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