South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported to the National Assembly on the 12th that it has confirmed the influence of a far-right YouTuber on the suspect in the 2024 assassination attempt against President Lee Jae-myung, which has been officially designated as an act of terrorism. The NIS further stated that there are indications the attacker may have consulted with far-right YouTuber Go Seong-guk prior to the attack.
Park Sun-won, floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party on the National Assembly’s Intelligence Committee, disclosed this information during a press briefing after the committee’s plenary session.
According to Rep. Park, during discussions related to the joint military-police “Gadeokdo Terror Task Force (TF),” a lawmaker asked whether there were signs that the suspect had consulted in advance with conservative YouTuber Go Seong-guk. In response, the NIS reportedly said that “it appears certain that the suspect was influenced by Go Seong-guk—that is, influenced by a far-right YouTuber.”
Park also stated that regarding speculation circulating about whether Go and the suspect had spoken by phone, the NIS responded that “we understand there was communication,” and added that “it has been partially confirmed that the suspect actually visited Go Seong-guk TV.”
On the broader connection between the suspect and Go, the NIS reportedly said that investigative authorities are handling the formal investigation, while the intelligence agency is doing everything within its authority.
Posted by Freewhale98
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1. Summary
Korea’s intelligence agency confirmed that the old man in his 60s who stabbed Lee Jae-myung in 2024 was radicalized by a far-right YouTuber and met him to consult on the matter.
https://preview.redd.it/n3fny4uyh1jg1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=741648659b6faa7e7d3a337e3ac4515bc10a54e7
2. How is this related to the sub
(1) Online Radicalization: Far-right conspiracy theory YouTube is a headache for Korean society. It is causing lone wolf attacks on politicians and institutions.
3. My opinion
Online radicalization is a significant issue in Korean society and the government taking firm actions to combat it.
Yoon’s coup attempt and other far-right violence that dominated 2024-2025 should be understood in this context. Many old drunken boomer men failing in their career got radicalized into far-right conspiracy theory after watching too much conspiracy videos and having too much soju.
The man in article tried to stab a politician. former President Yoon Suk-Yoel declared martial law and sent troops to major institutions such as NEC and National Assembly.
The government is blaming social media platforms for this kind of trends. So, they are introducing media literacy classes in schools and introduced EU DSA-style Online Disinformation Act.