Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency Cyber Crime Unit booked without physical detention a reporter from an internet news site for defaming a mother of the Sewol victim.
The reporter, 47, identified only by the initial of the last name S, allegedly posted on his/her facebook page an interview footage of a victim's mother who was crying and criticizing President Park Geun-hye and the government for the tragedy.
The person allegedly explained the footage: "This is all an act paid for by the North, and orchestrated by North Korea sympathizers here. This woman has completely lost her mind. That death was well-deserved."
A detective said, "Those who commit illegal acts such as posting malicious comments that cause pains among victims' families, or disseminating misinformation hampering and confusing rescue effort will be dealt with in a severe manner."