ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Bishops warn of AI-generated fake videos

Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – Videos created with artificial intelligence (AI) and circulating on YouTube and other social media platforms are using the profiles of Korean Catholic bishops to spread false information or solicit donations, according to the Korean Bishops' Conference, which is warning the faithful about the manipulative use of AI to influence them. The increasing widespread of such videos is a cause for concern and is prompting the Church to urge extreme caution regarding disinformation.
Recently, official videos and photos of Archbishop Jeong Soon-taek of Seoul and Bishop Lee Seong-hyo of Masan were digitally altered using AI to create misleading content designed to deceive the faithful by appearing like genuine statements from the bishops. "This is a growing trend," the official media outlet of the Korean bishops notes.
Some believers who saw these videos considered the information authentic and posted comments like “Thank you, Lord”; others sent monetary donations.
The Bishops' Conference reiterates that “the bishops have never made the statements contained in these videos” and that “these are arbitrary actions by YouTubers.” “We urge the faithful to report such videos to YouTube every time they encounter them,” the statement emphasizes. The Bishops' Conference of Korea has previously warned the faithful about unverified information about the Church found online. In November, the bishops issued an official statement entitled “Guidelines for correct access to Catholic Media Content.”
The document states: “Even if a video or post features the bishop’s face, voice, or speech, there is a high probability that it is an unauthorized edit or summary if the source is not the official channel (Vatican, Bishops’ Conference, or diocesan media) or a Catholic press agency.” “If you come across a video or post of unclear origin, contact your parish priest or diocese, check the official documents of the Catholic Church, or the bishop’s statements on the official website,” the bishops urge. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 8/12/2025)

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