Pastor at Songpa Church Referred to Prosecutors Without Detention for Claiming “5·18 Was a North Korea-Orchestrated Riot”

Charged with Violating the 5·18 Democratization Movement Act
Spread of False Information on Church YouTube Channel

A pastor who claimed during a service that the "May 18 Democratization Movement was a communist riot instigated by an order from North Korea" to the congregation has been referred to the prosecution.

Songpa Police Station, Seoul. Photo by Jaehyun Park

Songpa Police Station in Seoul announced on the 6th that a man in his 40s, identified as Mr. A, has been referred to the prosecution without detention on charges of violating the May 18 Democratization Movement Act.

According to the police, Mr. A is accused of having spread false claims in a sermon video uploaded to a church’s YouTube channel in May, asserting that "May 18 was not a democratization movement, but a communist riot sparked by North Korean orders."

According to Article 8 of the May 18 Democratization Movement Act, anyone who publicly spreads false information about the May 18 Democratization Movement through newspapers, broadcasts, social network services (SNS), rallies, or similar means can face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won.

A police official stated, "Distorting the history of the May 18 Democratization Movement not only insults or defames victims and their families, but also spreads erroneous views of history and can cause social unrest," adding, "Acts of producing and disseminating malicious and clear falsehoods that go beyond the freedom of expression will be strictly investigated in accordance with laws and principles."

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