▲ This image captured from social media platforms shows a newspaper image generated with artificial intelligence, headlining a claim that the 1980 democracy uprising in the southwestern city of Gwangju was orchestrated by Pyongyang. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

police-fake news

Police looking into social media accounts for spreading false info about May 18 uprising

SEOUL, May 24 (Yonhap) -- Police said Sunday they have launched a preliminary investigation into online social media accounts accused of spreading false information about the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in the southwestern city of Gwangju.

In a press release, the National Office of Investigation said it launched the probe into 37 accounts suspected of disseminating false information in violation of the Special Act on the May 18 Democratization Movement, and had requested the removal of 240 online posts since Friday.

Police said they also booked a woman in her 50s for allegedly posting fake news that distorted the 1980 uprising by falsely claiming the movement was orchestrated by North Korea.

She is accused of posting online an artificial intelligence-generated newspaper clip dated May 20, 1980, with a headline saying spies who received instructions from Pyongyang had seized weapons and attacked troops enforcing martial law.

Police said they will "continue to take stern measures against the spread of false information to ensure that the spirit of the May 18 democracy movement is not undermined."

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