In the early hours of Sept 22. in Gwangju, a man in his 30s died after crashing into a large trailer while attempting to flee from a YouTuber known for pursuing drunk drivers. The fatal incident unfolded during a 1.9-kilometer chase involving three vehicles, one of which was driven by the YouTuber, identified as Mr. A. The entire chase was live-streamed on YouTube, drawing over 400 viewers, but the platform did not intervene. Experts have criticized YouTube for allowing such dangerous content, arguing that the platform holds significant responsibility for the tragedy.
Mr. A, who refers to himself as the “Gwangju Sheriff” and is also known online as the “Drunk Drivers Hunter,” regularly patrols the streets at night, filming and posting videos of his chases and confrontations with suspected drunk drivers.
In January, Mr. A was involved in a physical altercation with a suspected drunk driver during a live broadcast, which prompted a police investigation. Despite this, he continued streaming his activities, leading to the recent fatal crash. His YouTube channel has over 70,000 subscribers and more than 800 videos.
Experts highlight that private enforcement actions, like those undertaken by Mr. A, are illegal. Lee Yoon-ho, a professor in the Police Administration Department at Dongguk University, pointed out the growing trend of “private enforcement” and “private retaliation” content on YouTube, driven by the pursuit of views that can translate into substantial revenue. This pursuit has resulted in increasingly sensational and dangerous content.
As views generate income, the intensity of so-called “justice enforcement” content has escalated. In May, a YouTuber in his 50s live-streamed himself stabbing another YouTuber near the Busan District Court, broadcasting the entire violent act, including the victim’s screams, without any censorship from YouTube.
The scope of such content is expanding. One YouTuber gained attention by posting videos of reporting drug offenders to the police, even engaging in dangerous urban car chases to capture the encounters. The faces of bystanders were clearly visible in these live broadcasts.
In some cases, YouTubers have exposed individuals’ personal information based on unreliable tips, causing harm to innocent third parties. For example, a YouTuber who revealed the identities of those involved in the “2004 Miryang gang rape case” mistakenly identified an unrelated woman as the girlfriend of one of the perpetrators, sparking a widespread online “witch hunt” against her. This YouTuber was later charged with defamation and other offenses.
Experts warn that videos of private citizens like YouTubers chasing and punishing suspected criminals can incite a desire for revenge among viewers and undermine public trust in law enforcement. Professor Lee Yoon-ho emphasized, “Our Constitution does not grant any individual the right to punish others. It is unfortunate that the concept of ‘justice enforcement’ is being exploited as a means to increase YouTube views.”
