SEOUL, South Korea – South Korean police have executed a search and seizure operation at the offices of Sky Daily, an online news publication, in connection with a widely disputed report alleging the arrest of 99 Chinese spies by martial law forces at the National Election Commission (NEC) Training Institute during the purported emergency martial law period of December 3rd. The raid, conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Cyber Investigation Unit, occurred on Tuesday morning, approximately two months after the commencement of the investigation.
Authorities confirmed that the search, which began at 9:00 AM and lasted for around three hours, targeted Sky Daily reporters and their primary place of business. The action stems from accusations of disseminating false information, obstruction of official duties, and defamation directed towards employees of the NEC.
The contentious article, published by Sky Daily on January 16th under the headline "99 Chinese Nationals Arrested at Election Training Institute Transferred to US Military Base in Japan," asserted that a joint operation by South Korean and United States military personnel resulted in the apprehension of Chinese espionage agents at the NEC facility located in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. The report further claimed that these individuals were subsequently transferred to a United States military installation in Japan.
Adding to the sensational nature of the allegations, Sky Daily cited an unnamed "US military source" who purportedly stated that "the 99 arrested Chinese spies were transported to the US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan, via Pyeongtaek Port." The article went on to claim that these individuals had "confessed to all charges of election interference during the interrogation process conducted by US military authorities."
The credibility of Sky Daily's source came under intense scrutiny following the revelation that the alleged "US military source" was identified as Mr. Ahn, a known participant in far-right demonstrations who has been photographed dressed as Captain America, a character from the Marvel Comics universe. This disclosure ignited widespread criticism and further undermined the veracity of the news report.
Both the National Election Commission and the United States Forces Korea swiftly and unequivocally refuted the claims made in the Sky Daily article. On January 20th, the NEC formally requested a police investigation into Sky Daily and the journalist responsible for the publication, citing charges of obstruction of official duties and defamation.
A spokesperson for the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency emphasized the seriousness with which law enforcement is treating the matter, stating, "We intend to conduct a thorough investigation into similar instances of online fake news." This incident underscores the growing concern over the spread of misinformation and its potential impact on public trust and democratic processes in South Korea. The investigation is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with potential legal repercussions for Sky Daily and the individuals involved in the publication of the disputed article.
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