Yoon warns Pyongyang may use ‘fake news, cyberattacks’ to influence South Korea election

President Yoon Suk-yeol says the North has a history of carrying out ‘social disturbances, psychological warfare and provocations’ before important polls in South Korea

His warnings were criticised by opposition chief Lee Jae-myung, who accused Yoon of ‘playing a war game’ for political gain

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South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol presides over the central integrated defence meeting in Seoul on January 31. Photo: Yonhap via Reuters

Published: 9:10pm, 31 Jan 2024

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Wednesday called on the military to enhance defence readiness as he said the North was expected to stage a number of provocations to sway voter sentiment in the South’s coming general election on April 10.

The provocations could include, according to the president, not only military moves, but also cyberattacks and fake news, Yoon said.

“This year, South Korea will hold an important election, which is the political core of a free democracy,” Yoon said during an annual central integrated defence council meeting involving the military, police, government and the public.

“For the past 70 years, the North Korean regime has worked tirelessly to bring down our liberal democratic system, and in years with important political events, it has constantly carried out social disturbances, psychological warfare and provocations,” he said. “And this year, border area provocations, drone infiltration, fake news, cyberattacks and other provocations are expected to influence the elections.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently described the South as his nation’s “top foe”. Photo: AFP via Getty Images/TNS

The North conducted a series of cruise missile tests last Wednesday, Sunday and Tuesday, seemingly posing a threat directed at South Korea.

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