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Prime minister instructs gov't to combat disinformation ahead of local elections in June

Published: 14 Apr. 2026, 21:57

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok speaks during his public address at the central government complex in Jongno District, central Seoul, on April 14. [YONHAP]

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok instructed the government on Tuesday to crack down on the spread of disinformation ahead of the June 3 local elections, calling it a challenge to democracy and a clear crime.

Kim gave the order at a meeting with relevant ministers and officials, noting it was convened more than a month earlier than usual, with the elections 50 days away.

"The reason is that with the rapid development of generative AI technology, disinformation, such as fake news and deepfake videos and voice recordings, is becoming increasingly sophisticated and spreading widely within short periods of time, posing a significant threat to a fair election environment," he said.

The prime minister instructed the National Police Agency to carry out intensive crackdowns on pseudo-media spreading disinformation, while calling on the science ministry and the Korea Media and Communications Commission to work to promptly block such falsehoods at an early stage, in close cooperation with major platform operators.

"Fake news is not freedom of expression," he said. "It is a challenge to democracy and a clear criminal act."

Yonhap