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South Korea cracks down on AI deepfakes ahead of June elections

Fake images and videos are flooding social media—now authorities are fighting back. Can they stop AI from swaying voters before election day?

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2 min read
The image shows a paper with a drawing of a man in a suit and tie holding a sign that reads "The...
The image shows a paper with a drawing of a man in a suit and tie holding a sign that reads "The Voter's Nightmare". The man has a determined expression on his face, suggesting he is ready to take on any challenge that comes his way. His clothing is simple and his posture is confident, conveying a sense of strength and determination. The text on the paper is written in a bold font, emphasizing the importance of the message.

South Korea cracks down on AI deepfakes ahead of June elections

South Korea’s election watchdog is cracking down on AI-generated deepfakes ahead of the June 3 local elections. The National Election Commission (NEC) has taken legal action against dozens of cases involving fake images and videos designed to mislead voters. Authorities warn that the spread of such content is accelerating rapidly. The NEC has filed two criminal complaints, requested one investigation, and issued 32 warnings over deepfakes created to interfere with the election. As of Wednesday, the commission had demanded the removal of 8,832 posts linked to AI-generated campaign materials. Under the Public Official Election Act, producing or sharing realistic deepfakes within 90 days of an election is illegal.

A recent incident on May 13 sparked controversy when an AI-generated photo resembling former justice minister Cho Kuk circulated online. The problem has grown since 2020, when AI-generated videos—like the 'AI Yoon Suk Yeol' series—were first used as campaign tools. Later, calls for stricter rules increased after some candidates created fake endorsement videos using an AI avatar of President Yoon.

To tackle the issue, the NEC formed a 440-member team in December 2025 to handle false information and defamation cases. The group is now dealing with a surge in deepfakes, with hundreds of new posts appearing daily. Officials expect the number to exceed those seen during last year’s presidential election. The NEC has pledged strong action against anyone using deepfakes to disrupt the election process. With the June 3 vote approaching, authorities are monitoring online platforms closely. The rapid rise in AI-generated content remains a key challenge for maintaining fair campaigning.

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