Arrest Warrants Dismissed for Four Including Former and Current Gyeongnam Officials Over Deepfake and Election Law Allegations

The court has dismissed all arrest warrants requested for four individuals, including former and current officials from the Gyeongnam Provincial Government, who were under suspicion in relation to the production of deepfake videos and possible election law violations involving public office during the 9th nationwide local elections.

On August 28, at 3:00 p.m., Judge Jeong Beomsik, who is in charge of warrants at the Changwon District Court in Gyeongnam, began a pre-arrest interrogation for three individuals—A, a man in his 60s and former Gyeongnam Province official, B, a current Gyeongnam Province official in his 40s, and C, the head of a design firm—making a total of four people.

Changwon District Court, Gyeongnam.
Photo by Seryeong Lee

The court explained the reason for dismissal by stating, “While the charges are serious, the suspects have clearly established residences and social ties, and much of the evidence has already been secured. Therefore, it is difficult to conclude that there is a risk of flight or destruction of evidence.”

The court also added, “There is a need to sufficiently guarantee the suspects’ rights to defense as some facts and legal points are still in dispute. At present, it is hard to recognize the necessity and appropriateness of detention.”

Previously, these individuals were alleged to have worked at the election camp for candidate Park during the last local elections, ordering a video producer to create deepfake campaign videos and providing internal provincial government data, accommodations, and salaries for electioneering purposes.

A and B, in their capacity as public employees, are also accused of instructing others on matters related to electioneering and setting up an unofficial campaign office responsible for video production.

The police, acting on a request from the Gyeongnam Election Commission, launched an investigation into A and eight others, carrying out a search and seizure at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government right after the election as part of a compulsory investigation.

Subsequently, on August 24, the prosecution applied to the court for pre-arrest warrants for four people, including A, citing concerns regarding evidence destruction and risk of flight.

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