South Korea’s presidential election is approaching on June 3, but deepfakes in elections are casting a shadow over the campaign. Fake videos targeting major candidates have flooded social media, raising fears of misinformation and voter manipulation.
Despite strict laws, deepfake videos continue to appear across platforms like TikTok and X. These videos use AI tools to generate realistic but false clips within minutes. Their rapid spread has become a serious concern for authorities.
One viral clip shows Yoon Suk-yeol appearing to pull off Han Dong-hoon’s wig. Another places opposition leader Lee Jae-myung in a fake prison scene. These examples show how deepfakes in elections can quickly go viral and damage reputations.
South Korea’s Public Official Election Act prohibits misleading AI content 90 days before election day. Violators face up to seven years in prison or fines up to 50 million won. However, no one has faced charges under this new rule so far.
Law enforcement officials have launched investigations but admit challenges remain. Police say they may use traditional defamation laws in the meantime. Still, enforcement gaps allow deceptive content to keep spreading.
Professor Bae Sang-hoon of Woosuk University warns about the risks. He believes deepfakes can mislead voters, especially those with limited media literacy. Bae also worries that undecided voters may form false impressions from manipulated videos.
In 2022, South Korea recorded over 2,000 election-related crimes. More than 40 percent involved black propaganda or misinformation. Experts expect even more violations this year due to deepfakes in elections.
To fight this, police have set up monitoring teams in 278 precincts nationwide. These units will track fake content and other election offenses. However, the watermarking rule for AI-generated content won’t begin until 2026.
As the campaign continues, deepfakes in elections remain a growing threat to public trust and democracy. Without stronger enforcement, experts warn that disinformation may dominate the political landscape.
