South Korea Grapples with Deluge of Election Misinformation
SEOUL – South Korea’s upcoming presidential election on June 3rd is being overshadowed by a surge of online misinformation, targeting candidates across the political spectrum and exploiting anxieties about foreign influence. False narratives, manipulated images, and even AI-generated deepfakes are circulating widely, raising concerns about the integrity of the democratic process. The election, triggered by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, will determine who leads the nation at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions.
Much of the disinformation plays on fears of external interference, particularly from China and the United States. False claims about weaknesses in the overseas voter registration system, alleging that Chinese nationals are casting fraudulent ballots, have spread rapidly. This narrative taps into existing concerns about China’s growing influence in the region. On the other side of the spectrum, fabricated endorsements from US President Donald Trump for conservative candidates have surfaced, attempting to bolster their credibility with right-leaning voters.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, currently the frontrunner, has become a primary target of disinformation campaigns. Numerous false claims attempt to portray him as subservient to Beijing, propagating a narrative that progressives are sympathetic to or even controlled by China. Doctored images showing Lee bowing to a Mao Zedong statue and wearing a Chinese flag mask have been debunked by fact-checkers. Experts suggest this tactic reflects a shift in public sentiment, with accusations of pro-China leanings now resonating more strongly than traditional accusations of pro-North Korea sympathies, particularly in the context of escalating US-China tensions.
Conservative candidates have also been targeted, with disinformation often focusing on their alleged ties to the United States. Manipulated images have emerged showing former US President Trump endorsing former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who has since dropped out of the race. Similar fabricated endorsements from the Pentagon for another conservative candidate, Kim Moon-soo, were also debunked by US Forces Korea. While demonstrably false, these narratives exploit South Korea’s polarized political landscape and anxieties over foreign influence, resonating with specific voter segments and potentially influencing their decisions.
The rise of artificial intelligence has further complicated the fight against misinformation. A deepfake video depicting Lee Jae-myung ending a previous hunger strike and joking about eating fried chicken circulated widely in right-wing online communities. The video, created using AI manipulation of a genuine photo, was debunked by AFP analysis, which identified telltale signs of fabrication such as disappearing background elements and warped body parts. Even though fake, the video reinforced pre-existing criticisms of Lee’s protest, highlighting the potential of AI-generated content to manipulate public opinion.
Beyond manipulated images and deepfakes, misleading interpretations of pre-election polling data have also surfaced. A viral graphic falsely claiming conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo was leading Lee Jae-myung based on recent polls was debunked. The graphic used outdated data from January and February, with the original survey dates deliberately cropped out to give the impression of current results. Official May polls, however, showed Lee maintaining a significant lead of five points or more. Such manipulated data contributes to a distorted understanding of public opinion, potentially influencing voter behavior.
The proliferation of misinformation in South Korea’s election highlights the growing challenges democracies face in combating online falsehoods. The ease with which manipulated content can be created and disseminated online, combined with the increasing sophistication of AI-generated deepfakes, necessitates a multi-pronged approach. Fact-checking organizations, media literacy initiatives, and platform accountability are crucial in mitigating the impact of disinformation and ensuring voters have access to accurate information to make informed choices. The stakes are high, as decisions based on manipulated content can have profound and irreversible political and social consequences.