{"id":2202415,"date":"2023-10-05T08:00:06","date_gmt":"2023-10-04T23:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2202415"},"modified":"2023-10-04T17:55:25","modified_gmt":"2023-10-04T08:55:25","slug":"south-korea-targets-fake-news-over-online-opinion-poll-during-soccer-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/10\/south-korea-targets-fake-news-over-online-opinion-poll-during-soccer-game\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea targets \u201cfake news\u201d over online opinion poll during soccer game"},"content":{"rendered":"
South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo <\/span>announced<\/span><\/a> the formation of an inter-ministerial task force aimed at curtailing potential manipulation of public opinion on South Korea\u2019s online portals. This decision followed a report from the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) which indicated that approximately 80% of online users supporting the Chinese soccer team during the Asian Games men\u2019s quarterfinal against South Korea originated from overseas. Suspicions arose that foreign persons or entities might have used virtual private networks to mimic domestic users or manipulate the high volume of support for the Chinese team.<\/span><\/p>\n Han emphasized the gravity of the situation, denouncing \u201cfake news\u201d as a threat to democratic foundations, and urged the task force to propose legislative and preventative solutions. This incident has also sparked political concerns. Earlier in the day, ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Kim Gi-hyeon <\/span>voiced suspicions<\/span><\/a> on social media that online portals might be leveraged to shape public opinion before next year\u2019s general elections. He also cited disproportionate ratios during another soccer match between South and North Korea and highlighted certain online portals\u2019 alleged left-leaning bias.<\/span><\/p>\n Why It Matters<\/b><\/p>\n The episode isn\u2019t an isolated event in South Korea\u2019s history with online opinion manipulation. Notably, in 2012, agents from the South Korean National Intelligence Service were caught <\/span>posting comments<\/span><\/a> critical of the Democratic United Party ahead of the December presidential elections. A <\/span>similar incident<\/span><\/a> occurred in April 2018 after a group that supported former President Moon Jae-in, some of whom were <\/span>Democratic Party members<\/span><\/a>, had been charged with online opinion rigging. Such actions have made online manipulation a persistent concern.<\/span><\/p>\n Prime Minister Han Duck-soo\u2019s characterization of the incident as \u201cfake news\u201d has elicited a <\/span>negative response<\/span><\/a> from the Democratic Party, which stated that the government was blowing things out of proportion. Han\u2019s comment also comes amid the Korea Communications Commission\u2019s proposed \u201c<\/span>integrated review system<\/span><\/a>,\u201d which suggests an attempt to clamp down on online misinformation through stricter penalties. South Korea\u2019s parliamentary elections are slated for April 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n