Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Thursday ordered law enforcement to take action on any cases of defamation targeting families and the victims of Sunday's catastrophic plane crash in Muan, South Jeolla Province.
Choi ordered police to monitor defamatory remarks online and "take stern actions" against such activities at a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters in Seoul on Thursday.
The failed landing of the Boeing 737-800 killed 179 of the passengers and crew Sunday, leaving just two survivors.
"I see news reports that some posts on social media are recklessly targeting victims and their bereaved families and these posts get mean-spirited replies. Also, fabricated information and (inappropriate) videos are being shared online," Choi told officials at the meeting.
"I sincerely ask people to refrain from any activities that would harass bereaved families and well-meaning workers (at the scene of the incident)."
The Korean National Police Agency said it would further crack down on such crimes, while investigations in some cases are already underway. It added it was blocking the further spread of misinformation online.
Besides law enforcement, the current administration led by Choi will also take further measures to protect the grieving families.
The Korea Communications Commission, a media watchdog, pledged Thursday to ask for cooperation with operators of social media and streaming services to curb the spread of defamatory and manipulated information targeting victims and their bereaved families. The watchdog also asked broadcasters to abide by guidelines for reporting on the tragedy in order to prevent secondary victimization.
This came as Park Han-shin, who represents the bereaved families of the 179 people who died on the crash, was rumored to have been a member of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea disguised as a bereaved family member.
But on Tuesday, a post on Meta's social platform Threads was posted under the account "liasim_pooo," who claimed to be the child of Park and confirmed the death of his or her uncle, Park's younger brother Park Byoung-gon, in the aviation disaster. The author, whose gender remains unknown, said it was heartbreaking to see Park Han-shin being labeled as a fraudster.
Rep. Kim Dai-sik, senior floor spokesperson of the ruling People Power Party, sought to dismiss the rumor, affirming that Park is not a member of any political party and is a bereaved family member.
Attorney Park Chul, the vice chair of the Gwangju District Bar Association who joined a group of lawyers aiding the bereaved families, said in a radio interview Thursday that he was collecting evidence to file complaints with law enforcement "within a few days."
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