YouTuber arrested for illegally placing cameras at early voting sites

Election officials practice using the early voting equipment for the April 10 general election in Incheon on Feb. 19. [YONHAP]

A YouTuber in his 40s was found to have put several cameras at early voting sites in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang, and Incheon for the April 10 general election.

According to the police on Friday, the YouTuber was arrested Thursday afternoon by the Incheon Nonhyeon Police Precinct on charges of placing several cameras disguised as telecommunication devices from a specific company at early voting sites.

The suspect has reportedly raised suspicions about manipulating the poll of early voting and the existence of proxy votes, according to local news reports.

The police arrested the YouTuber after reviewing nearby surveillance footage following a report about illegally placed cameras.

The precinct found that the suspect had broken into two administrative welfare centers in Incheon and placed the recording devices there.

Incheon Metropolitan City has examined 159 early voting sites following an order from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and found five places with cameras set up illicitly, all placed near a water purifier in the area that could record the inside of the voting center.

During the investigation, the YouTuber was also discovered to have sneaked into four early voting sites in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang, and illegally placed recording devices.

“We are currently investigating whether the YouTuber has placed more cameras in other areas and are planning to determine his motive,” the police said. “For now, he is arrested on charges of breaking into a building, but the charges may change following further investigation.”

BY KIM JI-HYE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]