South Korea Police Seek Journalist Arrest Over False Spy Report

South Korean police have requested an arrest warrant for a journalist from Sky eDaily over a false report claiming that 99 Chinese spies were arrested by South Korean troops during former president Yoon Suk-yeol’s brief imposition of martial law. The report alleged, citing unnamed US military intelligence sources, that the spies were detained at a National Election Commission (NEC) facility and later transferred to US military custody in Okinawa, Japan. Both the NEC and US Forces Korea have denied these claims, and digital verification reporters have debunked the story. The journalist faces charges of obstructing official duties of the NEC due to the disruption caused by the false article. Yoon's martial law declaration, intended to break legislative deadlock and target alleged pro-North Korean elements, has sparked widespread misinformation and conspiracy theories online, including unproven claims of electoral fraud and foreign espionage. Authorities have also taken legal action against individuals involved in related violent incidents targeting the press and police.