Anti-Korean YouTuber referred to prosecutors over spreading fake news about '37 mutilated bodies in South Korea' retracts Japan naturalization declaration

A Korean YouTuber with about 950,000 subscribers briefly declared he would renounce his Korean citizenship and become Japanese, then reversed course and apologized the next day.

He has been referred to prosecutors without detention on suspicion of spreading false claims, including that numerous mutilated bodies had been found in South Korea.

Authorities have also sought to preserve his ad revenue, highlighting possible legal and financial consequences for the misinformation.

The case has raised concerns that fake news spread abroad can damage South Korea’s public safety image and hurt tourism and investment.