Yangyang County's Response to Misinformation

On July 12, visitors at Naksan Beach in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, sought refuge from the heat under straw umbrellas. Recently, Yangyang County announced its intention to take a firm stand against individuals spreading false information that tarnishes the region's image.

According to the county, there has been a surge of misleading posts about Yangyang circulating on online communities and social media over the past few years. Authorities have detected organized efforts to disseminate these posts, characterized by repetitive sentence structures and abnormal spikes in views and likes. Many authors of these posts delete their content or close their accounts after a short period.

Local residents and business owners have reported to the county office that their livelihoods are being threatened due to unfounded rumors leading to a decline in customers.

Negative portrayals of the county have appeared online, including posts titled 'Review of a Night Spent in Yangyang' and 'Avoid Yangyang.' In 2023, a post claiming that a woman was assaulted by Black men at a Yangyang surfing beach went viral, but investigations revealed it to be false.

The spread of such misinformation has put significant pressure on local businesses, including surf shops, restaurants, and accommodations, many of which are now facing closure. According to the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Global Headquarters, the number of visitors to Yangyang beaches from June 22 to August 18 last year dropped by approximately 10% compared to the previous year, totaling 691,160.

In response, the county plans to file criminal charges for defamation and obstruction of business against those responsible for spreading these negative images. They will also enhance online monitoring to prevent future occurrences. A county official stated, 'Given the region's reliance on tourism, online rumors pose a direct threat to the survival of our residents. We will hold those who spread false information legally accountable.'