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This is not big enough to put it into the TBR newsletter, but wanted to share with you guys as a nice little example of how S Korea's conservative media engages in ratfucking.
Background: for our purposes, it's enough to know that Chosun Ilbo hates Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae.
Background: for our purposes, it's enough to know that Chosun Ilbo hates Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae.
The unfortunate victim of ratfucking here is Julian Quintart, a Belgian national who is a minor celebrity in Korea, appearing in TV shows and radio programs.
Near Julian's house, there was a meatball restaurant. He thought it was good, so he introduced the restaurant on TV.
Near Julian's house, there was a meatball restaurant. He thought it was good, so he introduced the restaurant on TV.
Later, in May this year, Julian joined the Ministry of Justice's "Immigrant Mentorship" program, as a goodwill ambassador for S Korea's immigrant community.
Then yesterday, Chosun Ilbo runs this article: https://www.chosun.com/national/court_law/2020/09/21/ZJ6UPL5E4ZEI3LZZO537SKN7YI/
Then yesterday, Chosun Ilbo runs this article: https://www.chosun.com/national/court_law/2020/09/21/ZJ6UPL5E4ZEI3LZZO537SKN7YI/
Turns out, the meatball restaurant was run by Justice Minister Choo's daughter.
Did Julian know it was run by Choo's daughter? Nope.
Did Julian continue to visit the restaurant as of 2020? Nope, the restaurant closed in 2016.
Did Julian know it was run by Choo's daughter? Nope.
Did Julian continue to visit the restaurant as of 2020? Nope, the restaurant closed in 2016.
Did Chosun Ilbo even try to ask Julian if he knew the restaurant was run by Choo Mi-ae's daughter? Of course not.
But this is how the article ran: "Julian introduced the restaurant on TV as his regular haunt. Coincidentally, Julian became a member of MoJ's mentorship program."
But this is how the article ran: "Julian introduced the restaurant on TV as his regular haunt. Coincidentally, Julian became a member of MoJ's mentorship program."
This type of ratfucking may not be surprising in and of itself - but in S Korea, the biggest newspaper by circulation pulls this shit against liberals. Every day. All the time.
So next time when you see some English-speaking "Korea expert" waving his arms about how S Korea's liberals are hostile to freedom of press, you can remind yourself that the press in S Korea is often an institutionalized disinformation campaign.
Sure, guy with an account created this month with zero followers, you are a very credible and persuasive authority. https://twitter.com/KimchiF19381316/status/1308848665570795520
Imagine going through the annoyance of opening a whole new account just to be a reply guy against for one person only. I could barely stand making a new account for TBR because the process was so annoying.
