Public Times — The government will deploy advanced artificial intelligence (AI) detection tools in the field to more aggressively counter deepfake video and audio manipulation aimed at elections.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said it plans to apply an AI deepfake detection model developed with the National Forensic Service to the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections in June.
The move responds to a surge in deepfake crimes that convincingly synthesize individuals' faces or voices. Authorities say the effort is intended to prevent manipulated images or statements of candidates from distorting voters' judgment during the election process.
The model builds on results from the \"AI Detection Model Competition for Combating Deepfake Crimes\" held last December.
A total of 268 teams (1,077 participants) entered the contest. The ministry and the National Forensic Service will provide the five top-performing models to the National Election Commission and operate a rapid-assessment support system for suspected content during the election period.
Notably, the model increases detection accuracy by combining global analysis, which evaluates the overall flow of a video, with local analysis, which inspects specific regions such as the face for subtle signs of manipulation.
The system was designed to handle content generated by the latest generative AI. Validation tests showed it achieved roughly 92% detection accuracy.
The ministry and the National Forensic Service said they will gradually expand the model's use. They plan to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Korea Communications Commission, and the National Police Agency to build a tight, government-wide digital crime response system.
Yoon Ho-joong, minister of the Interior and Safety, warned that fake news produced with advanced AI and deepfakes poses a serious threat to electoral democracy. He said the government will continuously strengthen its ability to respond to false and manipulated information during elections to create a competent, trusted \"AI democratic government.\"
Song Han-su, Senior Reporter onekorea@public25.com
