Ji Man-won, who claimed North Korean troops intervened in the May 18 movement, has been arrested

Suwon District Court issues arrest warrant for Ji Man-won... Spreading false information online
May 18 Memorial Foundation: "Distorting history despite criminal punishment and damages... Must be strictly punished"
▲ Ji Man-won attended a public hearing for the truth of the May 18 movement held at the National Assembly Member's Hall on the afternoon of February 8, 2019. ? Yonhap News
Ji Man-won, who has been spreading false information claiming that North Korean troops intervened during the May 18 Democratization Movement, was arrested on the 27th.
On the 27th, the Suwon District Court conducted a substantive warrant review and issued an arrest warrant for Ji Man-won, who is facing charges of violating the 'Special Act on the May 18 Democratization Movement, etc.' and defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act. Presiding Judge Kim Hong-seop, in charge of warrants, stated that there is "a risk of destroying evidence and a risk of fleeing" regarding Mr. Ji.
Mr. Ji is accused of posting dozens of articles on his website, 'Ji Man-won's System Club,' referring to citizens who participated in the May 18 Democratization Movement in 1980 as North Korean troops. Three victims and the May 18 Memorial Foundation filed complaints with the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency on the 7th of last month.
It is reported that during the investigation, Mr. Ji claimed his posts were part of academic research activities. Furthermore, on the 27th, Mr. Ji showed his book to reporters in front of the court and said, "All the facts are in this book. The core issue is determining whether the 34 people who lured four Gwangju citizens into the Jeonnam Provincial Office and killed them were citizens of the Republic of Korea or the People's Republic."
In relation to this, the May 18 Memorial Foundation released a statement on the 28th, noting, "Ji Man-won is a person who has been punished for repeatedly making false claims that North Korean troops intervened in the May 18 Democratization Movement, and is currently undergoing trial due to related lawsuits." The foundation pointed out, "In 2003, he was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for 2 years, for defamation through publications. In 2023, he served a 2-year prison sentence for defamation and other charges."
The May 18 Memorial Foundation continued, "Ji Man-won is facing a damages lawsuit regarding his booklet titled '42 Decisive Pieces of Evidence Performed by North Korea in the May 18 Operation,' with the appellate court ruling scheduled for November 4 at the Gwangju High Court." The foundation added, "Despite multiple criminal punishments and damages, he continues to distort the history of the May 18 Democratization Movement. We urge for the strict punishment of those who engage in the distortion of the history of the May 18 Democratization Movement."