South Gyeongsang Governor Race Heats Up Over AI Deepfake, Election Interference Allegations -…
A South Gyeongsang gubernatorial race has intensified following allegations of election interference involving over 30 AI-generated deepfake videos targeting candidate Kim Kyoung-soo
- Incident date
- Jun 2026
- Target
- Kim Kyoung-soo
The South Gyeongsang gubernatorial race has been thrust into controversy following serious allegations of election interference involving the production of AI-generated deepfake content. The incident centers on claims that over 30 videos were created to smear candidate Kim Kyoung-soo.
What happened
The controversy emerged on June 1, 2026, when accusations surfaced regarding an alleged campaign of digital misinformation. A tipster has claimed to have produced more than 30 deepfake videos specifically designed to damage the reputation of candidate Kim Kyoung-soo.
The political fallout has been immediate and polarized. The camp representing Kim Kyoung-soo has characterized the situation as an illegal, government-backed election gate. Conversely, the camp for Park Wan-su has dismissed these claims, labeling the accusations as false tips and inflated allegations. As of early June 2026, the dispute remains a focal point of the regional election cycle, highlighting the growing intersection of artificial intelligence, political campaigning, and local election integrity.