Woman in Her 20s Referred to Prosecution Without Detention for Posting "May 18 Armed Riot" Comment

Charged with Violating the May 18 Democratization Movement Act

A woman in her twenties has been referred to the prosecution after posting a false claim on her social networking service (SNS), labeling the 5·18 Democratization Movement as an "armed riot led by anti-state forces."

Seodaemun Police Station, Seoul. Photo by Ji Eun Oh

Seodaemun Police Station in Seoul announced on the 30th that it has forwarded a woman in her twenties, identified as Ms. A, to the prosecution without detention on charges of violating the 5·18 Democratization Movement Act.

According to the police, on May 15, Ms. A allegedly posted a comment on an SNS post that provided information about benefits related to the anniversary of the 5·18 Democratization Movement for Gwangju residents and others, claiming, "The 5·18 Democratization Movement was an armed riot by anti-state forces."

Investigations revealed that Ms. A also captured this comment and posted it on her own SNS story, which is visible for 24 hours. The case was filed on May 21 through the National Petition Portal. The 5·18 Democratization Movement Act prohibits historical distortion, including the dissemination of false information about the movement. Violators may be sentenced to up to five years in prison or fined up to 50 million won.

A police official stated, "We will continue to investigate the intentional production and distribution of malicious false information that goes beyond the limits of free expression strictly in accordance with the law and principles."

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