A 28-year-old man, identified by his last name Shin, is referred to the prosecution for allegedly hitting and fatally injuring a passerby while driving under the influence of drugs in southern Seoul on Aug. 18, 2023. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — The so-called “vigilante YouTubers” are gaining popularity due to their determination to locate criminals and unveil the truth on behalf of law enforcement authorities.
However, concerns arise that such actions might provoke witch-hunts or lead citizens to take the law into their own hands, fueled by violent video footage and stereotypical narratives.
The 28-year-old man, identified only by his last name Shin, was recently arrested for driving under the influence of drugs, colliding with a pedestrian near Apgujeong Station in Seoul’s Gangnam District earlier this month.
The victim has been pronounced brain dead.
Shin sparked social unrest after his swift release following the incident became public knowledge.
Caracula’s Detective Office, a YouTube content creator who reports on incidents and accidents, posted a video asserting that Shin displayed indifference during the accident, making no effort to aid the victim, which further enraged viewers.
Moreover, Shin made an appearance on the YouTube channel, revealing his identity, and underwent a “questioning” by the YouTuber.
The videos quickly went viral, propelling the YouTube channel to gain 200,000 new followers within a mere 15 days, reaching a total of over 1 million followers.
Another YouTube channel, boasting 130,000 followers, captures video evidence of illicit photography occurring at subway stations, with the creators even going to the extent of “detaining” the culprit.
A separate YouTube channel captures delivery riders disregarding traffic regulations, reports their actions to the police, and documents their investigation process. This YouTuber has amassed 480,000 followers.
This image, captured from Caracula’s Detective Office YouTube channel, shows the personal information of Mr. A, the perpetrator of the “Busan roundhouse kick” incident. (Yonhap)
Experts suggest that the appeal of these YouTube channels stems from the general public’s distrust in law enforcement agencies and their desire to stand for justice.
“Such videos raise awareness of diverse incidents and fulfill tasks that numerous public agencies struggle to accomplish,” said Lee Yung-hyeock, a police science professor at Konkuk University.
However, concerns persist that several YouTubers “recreate” various incidents based on personal viewpoints, lacking professional expertise in rigorous verification and comprehensive analysis of criminal activities.
In this process, ambiguous information spreads as truth, contributing to various predicaments.
The dissemination of this information could stigmatize specific individuals or initiate a witch-hunt.
These YouTubers focus on magnifying each incident’s drama, inviting public criticism, even though adhering to the judicial system remains the most rational approach for punishing criminals.
“While they claim to pursue the public good, they occasionally tread a fine line by inflaming public sentiment, particularly when suspects’ identities remain unknown,” said Lee Soo-jung, a forensic psychology professor at Kyonggi University.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
