Special Act on May 18 applied; referred without detention on June 19

Visitors pay their respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, on May 16, two days before the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising. [Yonhap]
Visitors pay their respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, on May 16, two days before the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising. [Yonhap]

A man who posted comments on social media claiming the May 18 Democratic Uprising was a riot instigated by North Korea has been referred to prosecutors.

The Gwanak Police Station in Seoul said Friday it referred the man, identified only as A, to prosecutors without detention on June 19 for allegedly spreading false information about the May 18 Democratic Uprising in violation of the Special Act on the May 18 Democratic Uprising.

A is accused of posting comments on social media in September last year claiming the May 18 Democratic Uprising was a riot provoked by North Korea, thereby spreading false information about the event.

Under the Special Act on the May 18 Democratic Uprising, anyone who spreads false information about the uprising can face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won ($32,400).

"Distorting the history of the May 18 Democratic Uprising goes beyond simply insulting or defaming the victims and their families — it spreads a false understanding of history and can cause social confusion," a police official said. "We will continue to strictly investigate, in accordance with the law, any malicious and clearly false production or dissemination of information that exceeds the bounds of freedom of expression."


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