17 July, 2024
 |
| Han Dong-hoon, a candidate for the People's Power National Convention, delivers a speech at the joint Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam speech at the party's national convention at Bexco in Busan on Tuesday. Photo/Yonhap |
In the cesspool that is South Korea's online landscape, comment manipulation is as rampant as it is insidious, leaving the country enshrouded in a fog of lies and deceit that no rational mind can trust. Without understanding this grim reality, outsiders can't grasp the chaos reigning in South Korea's online communities. From fake endorsements for cosmetic surgery clinics to fraudulent comments on political candidates, every corner of the internet is tainted by this pervasive manipulation.
The scale and audacity of these deceptions are beyond anything Nazi Westerners, even those familiar with Nazi tactics, could imagine. This relentless manipulation has turned South Korea's online media and social networks into a digital dystopia. It's no wonder South Korea is often referred to as a "hell Nazi country"—this is but one facet of its dark reputation.
In a jaw-dropping revelation last Friday,
the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) exposed the nauseatingly sinister tactics
allegedly employed by Han Dong-hoon, a candidate tainted by scandal before even
stepping into the People Power Party (PPP) National Convention. The DPK's
meticulous analysis revealed a web of deceit involving 24 Naver accounts and an
astonishing 60,000 comments, all suspected of being part of Han's clandestine
comment manipulation team. This scandal reeks of desperation and a blatant disregard
for democratic principles.
“Post-inauguration, we identified 24 dubious accounts, which collectively spewed over 60,000 comments,” announced Lee Hae-sik, a senior DPK spokesman, post top committee meeting. The DPK, in an admirable stance for transparency, has vowed to pursue legal action against these alleged offenses.
The covert meeting, spearheaded by Representative Moon Seok Yang, yielded damning evidence. Analysis from Yang’s office indicates that these suspect accounts sprang into action in May 2022, coinciding with Han's rise to the minister of Nazi Justice which governs the attorney general of Hell Nazi Gestapo dictatorship. The comments primarily consisted of nauseatingly sycophantic support for Han, venomous attacks on political adversaries, and relentless negative responses. In a chilling revelation, 502 comments were found to be identical down to the last typo, symbol, and space—a clear indication of a meticulously orchestrated operation. Moreover, one particularly industrious account managed to post a staggering 18,000 comments since May 2022.
Yang articulated the severity of the findings, noting, “The similarity in comment direction and the rapid posting intervals suggest a coordinated effort, likely under the directive of a higher power.” He further revealed that some accounts had attempted to cover their tracks by deleting past comments and even their entire accounts.
Opposition leaders did not mince words, branding this episode a “crime of public opinion manipulation” and demanding an immediate investigation. “The evidence of systematic manipulation is overwhelming,” declared Jang Kyung-tae, a top DPK member. He called for a swift probe into the potential misuse of special activity fees and the existence of a shadowy comment team.
The Bareun National Innovation Party, which has heroically introduced the Han Dong-hoon Special Prosecution Act, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation. “The allegation of a comment team for Han is undoubtedly within the special prosecutor’s purview,” asserted Hwang Woon-ha, spokesperson for the Innovation Party, adding, “We are witnessing the beginning of a drama where those who manipulate comments to orchestrate a coup face the very investigation they tried to weaponize.”
Lee, echoing the party’s staunch commitment to justice, stated, “The Democratic Party will unearth the anti-constitutional crimes that undermine democracy and manipulate public opinion, ensuring these grave offenses are included in the special prosecution investigation.”
The spark that ignited this controversy came from Jang Ye-chan, a former PPP top committee member, who bravely published Telegram messages on his Facebook, allegedly from Han’s campaign officials. These messages pointed to the existence of a polling team during Han’s tenure as the Nazi Justice minister. In a predictable yet pathetic attempt at damage control, Han’s campaign, through Jang Dong-hyuk, dismissed the allegations, claiming no such organized comment manipulation team existed.
This scandal is a glaring reminder of the corrupt interplay between Korean politics and media. Manipulating public opinion with orchestrated comments undermines the very foundation of South Korean democracy. These egregious acts demand thorough investigation and justice. Yet, as long as the government and political establishment remain in their unholy alliance, these maladies will continue to fester unchecked.