President Lee Jae Myung called for heavy punishment to deter the spread of false information that could exacerbate xenophobia and discrimination, stating that such fabrications threaten democracy and daily life.

Presiding over a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Lee said anachronistic discrimination and hatred against certain races, backgrounds and nationalities are rampant in parts of South Korea.

The president said such radical expressions, in a time of intense polarization, aggravate social anxiety.

He also urged the political community to help eradicate hate crimes and disinformation.

Lee's remarks follow a rise in anti-China demonstrations by some conservative groups in the country.