An emergency meeting at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office on Tuesday afternoon discussed putting the criminal investigation department in charge of the matter. An official who participated in the meeting said prosecutors and police are still trying to understand the issues and are reviewing judicial aspects of punishment since “these false rumors have gone overboard.”

The prosecution is checking whether Article 47 of the telecommunication law can be applied to the rumormongers. Article 47 stipulates that anyone who communicates groundless rumors with the intent of harming the public interest is liable to up to five years in prison or a fine of up to W50 million (US1$=W1,015). That could apply to such messages as “Americans do not eat U.S. beef.” Prosecutors are also considering prosecuting those who spread messages such as, “President Lee Myung-bak sold the Dokdo Islets to Japan,” for libel.

Warnings that middle and high school students will go on strike and hold nationwide demonstrations on May 17 could be punished on the grounds that they interfere with the smooth running of official business.

(englishnews@chosun.com )