Crying wolf on national security
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s surprise day trip to the Chinese border city of Dandong came amid rumors claiming he had died after suffering a severe brain hemorrhage. Unlike in 2020, when similar claims made international headlines, mainstream media outlets remained cautious this time. Journalists appear to have learned a bitter lesson from the disastrous media coverage six years ago. At the…
Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, unexpectedly visited the Chinese border city of Dandong, amid rumors suggesting he had passed away following a severe brain hemorrhage. Unlike in 2020, where similar claims caused international uproar, this time major news organizations maintained a measured response. It appears the media learned a hard lesson from the disastrous coverage six years ago, when some outlets reported Kim's demise based on a claim by a high-profile North Korean defector.
Days later, Kim made a public appearance, proving the reports false. The incorrect reports severely damaged public trust in the media, demonstrating how much news organizations are at risk when viewers and readers lose confidence in their reporting. The 2020 fiasco has since become a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based journalism and the necessity for journalists to verify sources and evaluate their credibility before publishing unverified claims.
While journalists approached the latest rumors with caution, the general public remained unconvinced.
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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- Crying wolf on national security koreatimes.co.kr
