South Korea Election Faces Widespread Disinformation, Influence Scandal

South Korea's upcoming presidential election has been overshadowed by a digital manipulation scandal involving Rhee Park School, a far-right group accused of orchestrating online campaigns to favor conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo, prompting a formal complaint and criminal investigation. This election follows the removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached after his controversial declaration of martial law was swiftly overturned by lawmakers. Alongside these political upheavals, the election has been rife with misinformation, including fabricated claims about foreign interference, such as alleged Chinese exploitation of overseas voter registration and false endorsements from U.S. figures, targeting mainly opposition leader Lee Jae-myung. These disinformation efforts often paint progressive candidates as aligned with China, tapping into voter anxieties amid escalating US-China tensions, while conservative candidates face misleading portrayals of American backing. Experts note that such narratives, although debunked, serve as strategic tools to influence voter perception in a highly polarized environment. The election, set to replace the impeached Yoon, thus reflects deep divisions exacerbated by both digital manipulation and misinformation campaigns.