Man referred to prosecutors for claiming Gwangju Uprising was Kim Il-sung's order

South Korean police have forwarded a man in his 40s to prosecutors for allegedly spreading false information about the May 18th Gwangju Uprising on social media. The suspect, identified only as Mr. K, is accused of posting on Threads in May that the historic pro-democracy movement was directed by North Korea's Kim Il-sung.

Under South Korea's special law regarding the Gwangju Uprising, individuals who spread false information about the event can face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won. The post has since been deleted.

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Historical distortion regarding the May 18th Democratic Uprising can go beyond simply insulting or defaming the victims and their bereaved families, and can spread incorrect historical perceptions, causing social confusion.

Police emphasized the gravity of historical distortion, stating that such acts not only insult victims and their families but also spread incorrect historical perceptions and can lead to social chaos. They vowed to strictly investigate malicious and clear disseminations of false facts that go beyond freedom of expression.

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We will strictly investigate malicious and clear disseminations of false facts that go beyond freedom of expression, in accordance with the law and principles.