【Text by Observers Net, Wang Kaiwen】Amid the deadlock in the South Korea-US trade negotiations due to the US "overreaching demands," a far-right group in South Korea recently held a forum in the United States, launching attacks on South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and spreading the theory of "election fraud" in South Korea.
The English edition of the left-leaning South Korean media "Hankyeong Daily" published an article on September 17 titled "The 'Imperial Model Student' Who Sold Out South Korea," written by senior economic and business journalist Lee Beom-young (translated name), which accused some pro-US forces in South Korea of relying on external forces to manipulate domestic affairs and create division, thereby restricting the actions of the "progressive government."
The article mentioned that The New York Times recently revealed that U.S. special forces attempted to infiltrate North Korea before the second summit between North Korea and the U.S. in 2019, installing eavesdropping devices at the residence of the North Korean leader. After the operation was exposed, they killed North Korean civilians and fled. Although the authenticity of the report is questionable (Trump denied the incident), it clearly shows that North Korea remains a difficult opponent for U.S. intelligence agencies.
South Korea and the United States have a completely different relationship.
The article states that there are "countless human eavesdroppers" in South Korea who provide intelligence to the U.S. They may be employed by others, may do so in exchange for intelligence or to seek political benefits, or they may simply be pro-American.
The author pointed out that South Korea is located in a geopolitical situation surrounded by strong countries, and historically there have always been factions that cater to one major power. In modern times, various forces such as pro-Russian, pro-Japanese, and pro-American groups have emerged.
He believes that the country needs to engage in external exchanges and maintain friendly relations, and it should not generally label such people as "sycophants" and criticize them. However, the problem lies in the behavior of certain factions - they often sacrifice social interests for personal gains, rely on external forces to manipulate domestic affairs, and create divisions.
"Some people in South Korea's pro-American faction have continued this tradition," the article wrote.
The author mentioned that before the meeting between the leaders of South Korea and the U.S. in late August, Trump suddenly made comments on social media expressing dissatisfaction with the situation in South Korean politics. "What's wrong with South Korea? It seems like a purge or revolution. We can't do business there while these things happen," Trump wrote.
On August 25, 2025, in the White House Oval Office, U.S. President Trump delivered a speech during his meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. Visual China
It is still unclear what Trump referred to, nor is it known who fed these ideas to Trump, the article said, noting that some speculate it might have come from certain religious groups.
The author then pointed out that those who believe that they cannot overthrow or punish Lee Jae-myung domestically seem to see Trump as their last hope. A bigger issue is that when they convey information about the internal situation in South Korea to the U.S., they often add lies and exaggerate facts, misleading Americans.
The author mentioned Kim Han-gil (translated name), a "star lecturer" in South Korea. This person has been spreading the "election fraud" conspiracy theory and claimed that former President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a state of emergency to correct "election fraud."
In previous reports, the "Hankyeong Daily" mentioned that Trump, who started his second term as president in January, still insists that his loss in the 2020 U.S. presidential election was due to "election fraud." Far-right South Koreans believe that as a "victim of election fraud," Trump could "uncover" the alleged fraud in South Korea and facilitate the return of Yoon Suk-yeol, who was unjustly impeached.
On the afternoon of September 13, these South Korean far-right individuals held an event in the Washington suburbs, criticizing Lee Jae-myung's government. Several American "election fraud" conspiracy theorists also took the stage to speak.
According to reports, Kim Han-gil spoke at the event, claiming that he had been persecuted by the South Korean government and told to seek asylum in the U.S.
The article points out that such far-right figures openly engaging in activities in Washington and seeking U.S. intervention in South Korean domestic affairs is common. Former South Korean National Assembly member Min Gyeong-su from the Future Unified Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) once held a solo protest in front of the White House, claiming that China "intervened" in South Korean elections. South Korean pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon actively spread the "election fraud" theory to U.S. politicians and overseas Koreans.
The author stated that the above examples are just the tip of the iceberg. Behind them is a vast network that spreads the idea that "anyone opposing them is anti-American." These forces are deeply embedded in South Korean politics, government, and academia, making it difficult to identify them one by one.
On January 3, supporters gathered near Yoon Suk-yeol's residence waving the flags of South Korea and the United States. X
Additionally, many people are feeding the U.S. the formula that "People Power Party is pro-American, while the Democratic Party is anti-American." Americans who are not well informed about South Korea find it difficult to conduct critical analysis, so when they hear South Koreans, who have always been obedient, spreading such information, they tend to believe it.
The article pointed out that this situation is beneficial for Americans, as "divide and rule" has always been the strategy of empires. The resulting political deadlock actually restricts the actions of the progressive government in South Korea. The author believes that when Lee Jae-myung visited the U.S., he expressed that South Korea can no longer follow the route of "security relying on the U.S. and economy relying on China," possibly due to concerns about the U.S.'s "suspicions." The decision by former President Roh Moo-hyun to dispatch non-combat troops to Iraq can also be understood from a similar perspective.
The article says that the pro-American forces in South Korea have a long-standing tradition of vilifying those who do not unconditionally support them as enemies. Thus, these "imperial model students" claim to be the "only ally" of the U.S. in South Korea, maintaining their status in South Korea.
The article concluded that South Koreans successfully prevented Yoon Suk-yeol's "coup" attempt last winter, leaving a deep impression on many Americans. Now asking Americans to help "overthrow" the current government would only confuse them.
"Currently, many Americans are deeply concerned about the democratic crisis in their own country. Can we really expect such a country to protect our democracy?" the author asked.
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