South Korean police have launched an internal investigation into allegations that Chinese accounts manipulated public opinion by posting organized comments on articles related to competitive industries, including electric vehicles and e-commerce. Authorities are also probing the hacking of Chinese IP cameras that recorded and leaked videos of South Koreans in private settings.
Domestic research teams revealed evidence of public opinion manipulation originating from China. Professors Kim Eun-young of the Police Administration Department at Catholic Kwandong University and Hong Suk-hoon of the International Studies Department at Changwon National University reported their findings in Understanding Cognitive Warfare in Korea-China Competitive Industries. The report highlights organized comment activity aimed at swaying public perception in South Korea’s economic sectors.
The researchers analyzed comments on platforms such as Naver and YouTube from July 2022 to August 2023, identifying 77 suspected Chinese accounts that appeared to be coordinating their efforts to target South Korean industries.
In December 2022, a separate research team led by Professor Yun Min-woo of Gachon University’s Department of Police Science & Security Studies found additional signs of organized comment activity linked to China. By analyzing comments on Naver using big data, the team detected accounts promoting pro-China content, making derogatory remarks about Korean culture, supporting pro-China figures, and criticizing anti-China politicians. Some comments included statements like, “If Yoon Suk-yeol becomes president, the country will collapse,” and “Long live Lee Jae-myung, the emperor.”
Additionally, police are investigating the hacking of Chinese IP cameras, which led to the posting of videos of South Koreans on a Chinese pornographic website. The videos were taken in private spaces such as Pilates studios, delivery rooms, clothing stores, waxing salons, and swimming pools.
A police official said the investigations into both the comment manipulation and IP camera hacking are in the information-gathering stage, with further review required to determine the next steps.
