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

Summary

The 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.