“중국산 추켜세우고 한국 비판”…수법 살펴보니 / KBS 2024.10.01.

KBS News

30 Sept 202401:55

Summary

TLDRThe report analyzes the activity of users suspected to be from China, posting comments with a specific pattern aimed at influencing public opinion. These comments often praised China and belittled South Korea, using tactics like fearmongering and disinformation to manipulate perception. The study identified strategies such as spreading pro-China narratives, criticizing South Korean businesses, and fostering division within communities. The research team suggested this could be part of a larger 'cognitive warfare' strategy, emphasizing the need for systematic analysis and further research to understand these activities more fully.

Takeaways

🔍 A pattern was observed in comments suspected to be from Chinese users.
🎯 The comments appear to be attempting to shape public opinion in a specific direction.
💪 Repeated claims were made boasting about China's strength, such as '90% of taxis worldwide will be Chinese-made within 10 years'.
😨 There were attempts to undermine South Korea and its businesses, with comments predicting the downfall of Korean companies.
⚔️ The research team suggests these comments are part of a psychological strategy to manipulate the opponent's perception and judgment.
📝 The commenters consistently posted 4-12 messages daily, all pro-China and critical of South Korea.
🚨 The comments employed 'divide and conquer' tactics, attempting to create internal division within South Korea.
🐕 In discussions about China-Taiwan, Korea was derogatorily referred to as 'America's pet'.
💬 In response to articles critical of Chinese companies, the commenters deflected by criticizing South Korean companies to derail the conversation.
📊 The research team emphasized the need for systematic analysis and further research to objectively conclude these suspicious activities.

Q & A

What is the main pattern observed in the comments suspected to be left by Chinese users?
-The comments followed a consistent pattern of attempting to shape public opinion in a particular direction.
What are some of the themes in the comments promoting China's strength?
-The comments often boasted about China's dominance, such as claiming that 90% of taxis globally will be Chinese-made within 10 years, and asserting that the world cannot defeat China.
How do these comments portray South Korea and its companies?
-The comments often disparaged South Korea and its companies, with claims such as the Korean flag being copied from China's and predictions that Korean companies would collapse in a few years.
What is 'cognitive warfare' and how is it connected to these comments?
-Cognitive warfare refers to efforts to manipulate the perceptions and judgments of the opposing side, and the research team believes these comments are part of that strategy.
How frequently do these commenters post, according to the research team?
-The research team found that these commenters post quite diligently, with some leaving between 4 to 12 comments per day, all with pro-China messages and anti-Korean themes.
What strategy is used in the comments to create internal division in South Korea?
-The comments use a strategy called 'divide and conquer,' which seeks to sow discord within South Korea by mocking certain regions or making derogatory remarks about internal divisions.
How are comments related to Taiwan and China used in this information strategy?
-In articles related to Taiwan and China, commenters often insulted South Korea, referring to it as 'America's pet,' to further discredit the country.
What tactic was employed in response to articles criticizing Chinese distribution companies?
-In response to such articles, commenters tried to obscure the main point by posting comments criticizing South Korean distribution companies instead.
What is the suspected goal of these pro-China comments?
-The suspected goal is to create a media environment favorable to China, potentially by fostering internal conflict and manipulating public discourse in South Korea.
What does the research team recommend for further study of these suspicious activities?
-The research team emphasizes the need for systematic analysis and follow-up research to reach objective conclusions about these activities.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Chinese Influence in Online Comment Patterns

The video highlights suspicious comment patterns, believed to be from users of Chinese origin, that appear to manipulate public opinion in a specific direction. A research team has observed efforts to shape online discourse, indicating potential coordinated attempts to influence perceptions.

🚕 Predictions of Chinese Dominance in Global Markets

Comments such as '90% of global taxis will be Chinese-made within 10 years' and 'The world cannot defeat China' repeatedly emphasize China's growing strength, while denigrating South Korea and its companies. Some comments mock South Korea's flag, claiming it was copied from China, and predict the failure of Korean businesses within a few years.

🧠 Psychological Manipulation Tactics

The research team suggests that these comments are designed to intimidate the opposition and manipulate their perceptions, a strategy referred to as 'cognitive warfare.' The comments, often pro-China and anti-Korea, are posted frequently, with some users posting 4-12 comments per day to shape public opinion.

🪓 Divide and Conquer Strategy

Another observed tactic is sowing division, particularly through derogatory remarks about South Korea and its relationship with the U.S. For example, some comments label South Korea as 'America's pet' or insult specific Korean regions. These divisive strategies aim to create internal discord.

📉 Distraction in Critical News Discussions

When articles critical of Chinese distribution companies appeared, the research team noted that these comments often diverted attention by attacking Korean distribution firms. This strategy seemingly seeks to blur the focus of the original articles.

🔍 Need for Systematic Investigation

The research team suggests that these suspected activities could be part of a broader plan to foster pro-China media environments and cause internal conflict in target societies. However, they stress the need for systematic analysis and further research to reach definitive conclusions.

🎤 Closing Remarks

The report concludes with a statement from the news correspondent, reiterating the need for more comprehensive analysis to understand the full scope of these suspicious activities. The importance of continued research and systematic investigation is emphasized.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Cognitive Warfare

Cognitive warfare, or '인지전 전략', refers to strategies aimed at manipulating or influencing an opponent's perception and decision-making. In the video, it is described as a tactic used by certain groups, likely from China, to manipulate public opinion by posting comments that intimidate and confuse. This is a key part of the video's analysis, showing how the comment patterns aim to control narratives and public perception.

💡Pattern of Comments

The term refers to the recurring structure or approach found in the comments made by suspected Chinese users. These comments often follow a consistent, systematic pattern that pushes a pro-China agenda. The repetition of claims like China's global dominance in industries and mocking of Korean identity is an example of this pattern, as highlighted in the video.

💡Pro-China Messaging

Pro-China messaging describes the content of the comments that praise China's strength and criticize other nations, specifically Korea in this case. In the video, such messages include predictions about China's future dominance in the global market and derogatory remarks about Korea and its enterprises. These messages are part of a broader strategy to foster a positive view of China and diminish Korea's standing.

💡Divide and Conquer

This refers to the tactic of creating internal divisions within a group to weaken it, known as '갈라치기' in the video. By posting comments that pit groups against each other, such as criticizing different regions within Korea or portraying Korea as subservient to the U.S., the goal is to sow discord and reduce unity within the nation. The video highlights this as a key method used in the comment strategy.

💡Taiwan and China Conflict

The Taiwan-China conflict is a recurring theme in global discussions, and the video references comments related to this sensitive issue. In these comments, China is portrayed as the superior power, while countries like Korea are belittled for their alliances with the U.S. This reflects the larger geopolitical tensions between China and Taiwan, used as a tool in cognitive warfare.

💡Defamation of Korean Symbols

Defamation of Korean symbols refers to the act of disparaging important cultural or national symbols, such as the Korean flag, which was mocked as being copied from China. This is part of a broader effort to undermine Korean pride and national identity, making it a significant element of the comment strategy discussed in the video.

💡Manipulation of Public Perception

This term describes the overall goal of the comments analyzed in the video. By repeatedly posting pro-China and anti-Korea messages, the aim is to shift how people perceive international relations, specifically positioning China as a global leader while diminishing Korea's reputation. The video emphasizes the strategic intent behind such comment patterns.

💡Online Disinformation

Online disinformation refers to the spread of false or misleading information through digital platforms. The comments in the video are a form of disinformation, aimed at confusing or distorting facts about Korea and its economy. The research team suggests that this type of content is designed to divert attention from legitimate criticism, such as of Chinese companies, by shifting focus onto fabricated issues.

💡Research Team's Analysis

The research team's analysis plays a crucial role in the video. Their findings highlight the systematic nature of the comments, the patterns used, and the intention behind them, such as fostering discord and manipulating opinions. They emphasize the need for further, in-depth research to draw objective conclusions about this behavior.

💡Distortion of News Focus

Distortion of news focus refers to the strategy of shifting the narrative in news articles by posting comments that are unrelated to the actual topic. In the video, this is illustrated by comments under articles critical of Chinese companies, which instead attack Korean businesses. This tactic is meant to confuse readers and detract from the original focus of the news.

Highlights

Patterns were observed in comments suspected to be left by users believed to be Chinese.

The research team analyzed that there were attempts to shape public opinion in a specific direction.

Examples of the comments include claims like 'China will dominate 90% of the world's taxis within 10 years' and 'The world cannot defeat Chinese people.'

Repeatedly, the comments showcased China's power while denigrating South Korea and its companies.

One comment claimed that South Korea's national flag was copied from China, while others predicted that South Korean companies would go bankrupt within a few years.

The research team suggested these comments were intended to intimidate the opposing side, as part of a strategy called 'cognitive warfare.'

These comments are consistently posted daily, ranging from 4-5 to as many as 10-12 comments per day, all supporting pro-China narratives.

There was also a tactic observed aimed at creating division within groups, a method referred to as 'divide and conquer.'

In articles related to China and Taiwan, some comments mocked South Korea by calling it 'America's pet.'

There were also comments that insulted certain regions within South Korea, further fueling division.

In articles critical of Chinese distribution companies, some comments aimed to shift focus by criticizing South Korean distribution companies.

The study found evidence that these comments were part of an effort to muddy the waters and divert attention from the original topic.

The research team theorized that there may be a broader plan to promote media narratives that are friendly to China.

It is suspected that roles may have been strategically divided to promote internal conflict and spread pro-China messages.

The research team emphasized that systematic analysis and further research are required to draw objective conclusions about these suspicious activities.