KAIST study flags 24,000 online accounts suspected of foreign-linked influence
A research team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has identified about 24,000 foreign-linked accounts exhibiting behavior consistent with coordinated manipulation aimed at fueling political divisions on Korea’s largest news portal. The researchers developed a tool using artificial intelligence (AI) technology that can flag suspicious online accounts, and also…
A research team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has uncovered approximately 24,000 foreign-linked online accounts that display characteristics of coordinated manipulation intended to exacerbate political divisions on Korea's most prominent news platform. Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) technology, researchers have developed a tool capable of identifying suspicious online accounts and providing explanations for their assessments.
These accounts did not align with any specific political party or ideology, but instead disseminated messages targeted at both conservative and liberal politicians, including former and current presidents, in a manner that could intensify divisions and discord, suggesting potential involvement in foreign influence operations. The research team, headed by professors Lee Won-jae, Cha Mee-young, and Oh Hae-yun, will present their findings, titled "Cross-National Information Attacks: A Two-Decade Analysis of Troll Behavior in Korea," at the USENIX Security Symposium 2026 on Thursday. The study was co-authored by doctoral student Kim Jae-hong and master's student Kim.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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