Koo Yoonchul Files Criminal Charges Against Spreaders and Participants of "Forced Dollar Sale" Fake News (Comprehensive)

Koo Yoonchul, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Finance and Economy, is presiding over the Market Situation Review Meeting held at the Federation of Banks in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 2nd. Ministry of Finance and Economy

Koo Yoonchul, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Finance and Economy, has filed criminal charges against those spreading the "forced dollar sale" fake news circulating online, taking a strong stance against market disruption activities.

On April 2, the Ministry of Finance and Economy announced in a press release that it had reported the initial distributors and active participants of the fake news—claiming "the government will forcibly require the sale of dollars" and spreading mainly through certain internet cafes and blogs—to the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency for violating the Framework Act on Telecommunications, among other charges.

This action was taken based on the judgment that the malicious spread of fake news could trigger further market anxiety, especially amid heightened instability in domestic and international financial and foreign exchange markets due to the prolonged Middle East war.

Deputy Prime Minister Koo stated on X (formerly Twitter) that "claims that the government will forcibly require the sale of dollars in connection with references to 'Emergency Fiscal and Economic Orders' to address crises triggered by the prolonged Middle East war have been circulated on some internet cafes and blogs."

He further emphasized, "In such an extraordinary crisis situation, the spread of unfounded fake news can cause market instability and undermine confidence in policy, so special caution is necessary." He added, "We will respond strictly, including by requesting police investigations, against the dissemination of such fake news."

Meanwhile, the Cyber Investigation Division of the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency received Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yoonchul's complaint requesting an investigation into the matter and has immediately launched a probe.

The complaint reportedly includes captured images of 14 posts related to the forced dollar sale that were uploaded to a certain portal site's online community.

Police plan to identify and charge the individuals based on their user IDs and pursue penalties for violating the Framework Act on Telecommunications.

Article 47, Paragraph 2 of the Framework Act on Telecommunications stipulates that anyone who spreads false information using telecommunications equipment for the purpose of benefiting themselves or others, or causing harm to others, may be subject to imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.