Climate Ministry Launches Manual to Counter Fake News After Washing Machine Rumor

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced plans to create an “Online Issue Response Manual.” This follows the rapid spread of “fake news” on YouTube and social media. The manual will establish procedures and standards for responding swiftly, ranging from correcting comments to requesting deletions and filing reports or legal actions.

The direct catalyst for the ministry’s manual was the so-called “washing machine electricity bill bomb” rumor. Videos and posts claiming, “Using a washing machine in the evening increases electricity costs by 50%” spread online, though the ministry confirmed this information was false.

Ironically, the ministry itself inadvertently fueled the misinformation. The issue began on the 24th of last month during a YTN radio interview with Minister Kim Sung-whan. While explaining a proposed “seasonal and time-based industrial electricity rate reform plan”—which would raise industrial rates at night and lower them during daytime hours when solar power generation is high—Minister Kim engaged in the following dialogue with the host:

“Run washing machines during the day…” (Minister Kim)

“Yes, let’s do laundry during the day, everyone.” (Host)

“You should set a reservation with AI to press a button and have laundry done during daytime hours.” (Minister Kim)