'Clearly false information,' ministry says, adding that wreath was moved to a safe location after vandalism attempt
'Strict legal action' under review over posts spreading the claim
The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans on Tuesday dismissed as "clearly false" online claims that a commemorative wreath sent in the name of President Lee Jae Myung was removed and burned at a ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of former President Park Chung-hee's death. The ministry said the wreath had been moved to a safe location after attempts were made to damage it.
"Claims circulating on SNS that 'President Lee's wreath was removed and burned' at the Park Chung-hee memorial ceremony held Monday at Seoul National Cemetery are clearly fabricated misinformation," the ministry said.
Under standard cemetery policy, presidential wreaths are kept at the gravesite until 6 p.m. on the day of the event and disposed of the following day. However, the ministry said that during the public floral tribute held after Monday's ceremony, some attendees attempted to forcibly move and damage the president's wreath, prompting cemetery staff to relocate it to a safe place.
The ministry said it had requested that the posts be removed from each platform and would "respond strictly," including investigating how the posts were created and spread and reviewing any necessary legal action.
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