Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Recent photo of military vehicle convoy in Seoul.
Fact
Photo of an army training exercise in January 2024.
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol lifted the imposition of martial law hours after declaring it on Tuesday to “crush anti-state forces.” As soon as the news broke, a photograph showing a convoy of military vehicles on streets went viral online with users claiming it to show a recent deployment in Seoul. Newschecker, however, found the photograph to be old and unrelated to the short-lived martial law in South Korea.
Multiple X and Facebook users shared the photograph linking it to the recent developments in Seoul.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
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In an address on Tuesday night, the South Korean President imposed martial law to eradicate “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces.” His decision temporarily put the military in charge, causing the troops to reportedly enter the Parliament building. Thousands of people reportedly gathered around the parliament to protest against the President’s order.
The South Korean lawmakers, however, voted to reject the military rule, and the troops left the National Assembly premises. President Yoon withdrew the order around six hours after first declaring martial law. South Korea’s opposition parties have reportedly submitted a motion to impeach the President.
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the viral image led to a report by website ‘seoul.co.kr,’ dated January 27, 2024. It carried the same photo with the caption, “the 1st Guard Brigade of the Capital Defense Command of the Army conducted a mobile training exercise using the K808 wheeled armored vehicle (Baekho) in the downtown area of Seoul on the morning of the 25th. 2024.1.25 (translated from Korean via Google).”
“The armored vehicle operation capabilities and expertise of the unit members have been greatly enhanced through the practical training. I will create a unit that makes it a habit to win according to the principle of ‘immediate, strong, and end’ in the event of an enemy provocation,” Captain Kim Cho-rok, the armored company commander who commanded the training, was quoted as saying in the report.
Carrying similar visuals, a video report by YouTube channel @channelA-newstop10, stated, “On the 25th, more than a dozen armored vehicles entered downtown Seoul at dawn. Army Water Defense Corps wheeled armored vehicle ‘Baekho’ mobile training. To minimize inconvenience to citizens, they entered downtown at dawn and conducted training (translated from Korean via Google).”
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Another report by Maeil Business Newspaper from January 2024 featured a similar photograph of an army vehicle convoy in the same location as seen in the viral photo, revealed it to be from a parade of armored vehicles that crossed the Han River bridge and passed through Seoul Station in the early morning of the 25th January 2024, the report stated.
It further corroborated, “the National Defense Information Service said on the 27th that the 1st Guard of the Army Capital Defense Command conducted a K808 wheeled armored vehicle maneuver training in downtown Seoul to understand Seoul’s operational environment and strengthen preparedness.”
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Conclusion
Hence, an old image of a military vehicle convoy in Seoul has been falsely linked to the recent martial law crisis in South Korea.
Result: False
Sources
Report By seoul.co.kr, Dated January 27, 2024
YouTube Video By @channelA-newstop10, Dated January 27, 2024
Report By Maeil Business Newspaper, Dated January 27, 2024
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
