Anti-Gov`t Community Organizes Systematic Threat

It has been confirmed Monday that the online community for the “Korean Alliance for the Impeachment of President Lee Myung-bak” on Daum, one of the “online strongholds” that have recently threatened advertisers of three major daily newspapers, has even recruited so-called “owl correspondents” to make threatening phone calls to these advertisers.

At the beginning of June, the community put up an ad-like notice, announcing the recruitment of the first group of 50 owl correspondents to catch the “mouse” (referring to President Lee). According to the community, the name “owl correspondent” came from the fact that owls are the natural enemy of mice.

The community administrator urged active participation by Internet users through a notice that reads, “Anyone with strong conviction and commitment, as well as outstanding abilities to quickly spread messages on the Web, can apply for the job. It may fall short of actually protesting and chanting slogans on the spot, but we assure you that online promotion is equally important.”

The notice soon gained around 100 comments from aspiring correspondents. A middle school student identified by “CTMF” wrote, “I can’t really participate in the protests often because I have to go to school. But, I want to support you online.” Another member identified by nickname “who eats mad cows?” said, “I can’t go to protests due to personal reasons, but I am really good at spreading messages around on the Web!”

The first group of “owl correspondents” has been reportedly making threatening or complaint calls to advertisers of three major newspapers and spreading messages online to promote the community on a three-month term.

The community takes a roll-call on the group and excludes anyone who is absent for more than five times. It also keeps a close eye on the activities of the correspondents by checking their postings and log-in information which, according to the community, is a way to make sure that the selected correspondents are responsible and committed to their cause.

Consequently, owl correspondents check attendance everyday on their bulletin board and actively lead the threat scheme by studiously updating the list of the advertisers to prove their performance.

As a result of their work, community members can find out the real name and contact information of PR managers of each advertiser on the bulletin board under titles such as “The list of PR and ad department phone numbers of consistent advertisers of the Chosun, JoongAng and Dong-A newspapers.”

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