A false declare has emerged in Korean-language social media posts that the interim head of South Korea’s largest medical affiliation parroted remarks of the North Korean chief Kim Jong Un.
The put up carried a picture of Kim with a pretend quote superimposed on it. The picture of Kim cited by the declare was truly launched in September 2017 with an announcement criticizing then-U.S. President Donald Trump. No a part of his assertion matches what the pinnacle of the medical affiliation stated.
The declare was shared on South Korea’s widespread on-line discussion board Ppomppu, with greater than 2.6 million members on Feb. 22.
“Direct problem, stern warning … I’ve seen comparable feedback earlier than very often,” the declare reads.
The put up was accompanied by three photographs.
The primary two photographs on the high present what seems to be Kim Taek-woo, interim head of South Korea’s largest medical affiliation, talking at a press convention.
A caption below the photographs reads: “If even a single physician is penalized by way of their license in relation to this incident, we’ll regard this as a direct problem towards docs and sternly warn that we might enter into motion that will likely be troublesome to deal with.”
The third picture reveals Kim Jong Un, with wording below it saying: “We regard this as a direct problem and sternly warn that we might enter into motion that will likely be troublesome to deal with.”
Some social media customers famous the similarity of remarks and accused Kim Taek-woo of being below North Korean affect.
“He’s a pinko,” one person wrote, utilizing a derogatory time period to discuss with North Korean or communist sympathizers.
“Looks like he was coached [by North Korea],” one other person stated.
The declare unfold amid a significant protest by medical personnel in South Korea led by the medical affiliation and different teams. 1000’s of South Korean docs have resigned to protest a authorities proposal to boost the medical faculty enrollment quota to handle shortages and an ageing inhabitants.
These putting trainees ignored a authorities ultimatum set for Feb. 29 to renew work or face authorized penalties. Subsequently, on March 5, the federal government introduced its intention to start notifying the putting medical professionals that their licenses could be suspended.
Kim Jong Un’s remarks
A Google reverse picture search discovered the picture of Kim Jong Un corresponds to at least one launched by North Korea’s state-run Korean Central Information Company on Sept. 22, 2017.
An similar picture was additionally printed by Reuters that day.
“North Korea’s chief Kim Jong Un makes an announcement concerning U.S. President Donald Trump’s speech on the U.N. normal meeting, on this undated picture launched by North Korea’s Korean Central Information Company (KCNA) in Pyongyang September 22, 2017,” reads the caption of the picture.
At the moment Trump threatened to “completely destroy North Korea” and branded the North Korean chief “Rocket Man.”
A evaluate of the assertion, printed by KCNA in each English and Korean, discovered no half matching the caption seen within the picture cited by social media posts.
Kim Taek-woo’s remarks
A key phrase search on Google discovered that Kim Taek-woo did make such remarks throughout a press briefing on Feb. 17 in response to warnings by the South Korean authorities it might cancel protesting docs’ medical licenses if they didn’t return to work.
The clip of the briefing was printed by the South Korean broadcaster YTN on Feb. 17.
The corresponding half begins on the 22-second mark of the clip.
Different South Korean information reviews additionally featured his assertion as seen right here and right here.
Edited by Malcolm Foster.
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