Search and seizure follows election commission's referral to prosecutors
Police have launched a forced investigation into allegations that the campaign of People Power Party candidate Park Wan-su, governor-elect of South Gyeongsang Province, produced deepfake videos and illegally used government resources during the June 3 election.
About 10 investigators from the South Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency's cyber investigation unit raided the provincial government headquarters in Uichang-gu, Changwon, starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Police also searched multiple other locations connected to the allegations and seized relevant materials.
The investigation centers on suspected violations of the Public Official Election Act during the campaign. The allegations surfaced May 28, when a member of Park's campaign came forward with claims that the camp had dedicated staff producing and distributing AI-generated deepfake videos defaming rival candidates, with South Gyeongsang provincial civil servants involved in the process.
The Public Official Election Act prohibits the production and distribution of AI-based deepfake content for campaign purposes starting 90 days before an election, and strictly bans civil servants from participating in electoral activities.
Earlier, the South Gyeongsang Province Election Commission referred nine people — including current and former provincial civil servants and members of Park's campaign — to the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act. Police, who subsequently took over the case, have been questioning those involved and working to secure evidence.
"It is correct that a search and seizure is currently underway," a South Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency official said. "As the investigation is ongoing, we cannot disclose details about the specific charges or the items seized."
ook967@heraldcorp.com
