In recent years, comment manipulation concerning articles related to China and certain industrial issues in Korea has become a growing concern. Specifically, Chinese commenters have been found to systematically influence public opinion, which has prompted research into this phenomenon. In this article, we will examine the current state of China’s comment manipulation and its impact on public opinion in Korea.
1. Background and Purpose of the Research
This research began with the suspicion that systematic commenting activities were taking place in articles discussing industries where China and Korea are competitors. Over the past few years, there have been growing concerns that Chinese commenters are actively participating in such discussions on major Korean news platforms. This prompted an in-depth analysis by Professor Kim Eun-young of Catholic Kwandong University. Professor Kim, who has a wealth of experience researching online propaganda related to extremism, focused her latest investigation on how organized state-level information warfare is influencing public opinion. This study aims to understand the patterns of comment manipulation and how these tactics are being used to shape the public narrative in Korea.
2. Research Methods
The study employed both qualitative and quantitative research techniques. First, the qualitative analysis involved examining the narratives found in the comments, looking for recurring patterns indicative of systematic posting. This allowed the researchers to identify which topics saw the most comment activity. Following this, quantitative research was conducted, selecting articles related to key industries where China and Korea compete. Every comment was examined and analyzed, with data gathered for comprehensive big data analysis. Techniques such as topic modeling, network analysis, and other big data methods were used to identify the coordinated efforts behind these comment manipulations, revealing how and when these comments are posted to create influence.
3. Types of Suspected Chinese Commenters
The research categorized suspected Chinese commenters into four distinct types, each with unique methods of influencing public opinion.
- Commenters Who Reveal They Are Chinese: These individuals openly state they are from China and promote China’s stance on issues. They often highlight China’s economic or political superiority, emphasizing how certain Korean industries are reliant on China.
- Commenters Who Use Chinese Language to Praise China: These commenters write in Chinese, praising China’s achievements in politics or economics. By using Chinese, they often strengthen China’s internal narrative or emphasize China’s image as a global power, even though Korean readers may not understand the language.
- Commenters Pretending to Be Korean: These individuals pose as Koreans, writing in Korean to blend in with the native population. Their goal is to make Chinese viewpoints appear more favorable within Korean society or to sow discord by exacerbating internal conflicts.
- Commenters Claiming to Be Korean but Advocating for China: Though they claim to be Korean, their comments primarily support Chinese interests. They often argue that Korea must maintain economic cooperation with China or highlight the negative consequences of distancing from China economically.
4. Network Analysis Results
To further investigate the relationships between commenters, a network analysis was conducted. This revealed the presence of several “hub” accounts that appeared to play a central role in coordinating the comment activity. Accounts such as XUF and Qianyang were found to be loosely connected to a variety of other accounts, forming a structure similar to that seen in criminal organizations or terrorist networks. These hub accounts did not work in isolation; instead, they coordinated with many other accounts to target specific topics. Their activity became particularly intense during critical periods, and although each account appeared to be independent, they were part of a larger, organized effort.
5. Unique Characteristics of Chinese Comments
The strategies employed by Chinese commenters can be categorized into three main tactics:
- Intimidation: They create fear by suggesting that if Korea becomes less dependent on China economically, it will face financial ruin. This tactic aims to strengthen the perception that Korea must remain economically tied to China.
- Fostering Division: These commenters exacerbate political and social divisions within Korea. They post inflammatory comments on controversial issues, trying to deepen polarization and amplify societal discord.
- Undermining Credibility: By discrediting the reliability of articles, they aim to reduce the influence of the media on public opinion. This strategy involves calling into question the validity of the information presented in the articles, thus shifting the focus of the discussion and eroding trust in the media.
These techniques align with China’s broader national narrative, where the country seeks to foster a positive image while also fueling internal conflicts in other nations. This type of comment manipulation is not simply a case of shaping public opinion—it is a strategy aimed at deepening divisions in foreign societies while promoting China as a favorable alternative.
6. Impact on Public Opinion
The study found that these Chinese commenters had a significant impact on public opinion, with some articles receiving as many as 455 manipulated comments. This level of comment activity is considerable, indicating a concerted effort to shape the narrative on key issues such as politics or economic relations. These findings align with similar patterns observed globally, such as during the 2016 U.S. Presidential election and the 2018 Taiwanese local elections, where foreign interference in public discourse was documented.
Conclusion
This research highlights the systematic and organized nature of China’s comment manipulation efforts. It is clear that this is not merely the work of individual actors but part of a broader, state-level strategy to influence public opinion. As online platforms increasingly shape public discourse in modern societies, these comment manipulation tactics can have significant political, social, and economic consequences. It is crucial to raise awareness of these activities and develop effective countermeasures to protect public opinion from foreign influence.