South Korean police vowed Sunday to sternly take action against the spread of groundless draft rumors amid escalating tensions between the two Koreas.

The move came after a series of false conscription text messages and rumors were massively circulated after the North fired artillery across the border last Thursday.

A 23-year-old college student surnamed Kim was arrested Thursday for spreading massive draft texts. The message said “discharged men aged between 21 and 33 will be drafted once the war is imminent,” adding that all should check their designated military camp’s website on the ministry’s homepage once the war declaration is confirmed. The message was sent under the name of the Defense Ministry.

Kim reportedly claimed that it was a prank. 

Earlier this month, another rumor was circulated saying that the recent landmine attack by the North in the Demilitarized Zone seriously injuring two South Korean soldiers was manipulated by the South.

The police said such false messages are commonly spread when inter-Korean tensions are high.

Most of the false rumor spreaders were found to be college students or office workers in their 20s, the authorities added.

The police warned that those spreading false draft rumors can be punished with up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won ($8,400) for interfering with the Defense Ministry’s operations, officials said. Investigators also vowed that they would consider such an act as an attempt to benefit the enemy and sternly punish the spreaders in accordance with law.

The police added that they would conduct online monitoring around the clock and promptly launch probes if any similarly groundless rumors are found.

By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)