Bill Gates targeted by vaccine conspiracy theorists after Korean talk show appearance
From left, Yoo Jae-suk, Bill Gates and Jo Se-ho / Courtesy of tvN
Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has found himself at the center of renewed vaccine conspiracy theories following news of his upcoming appearance on the popular Korean talk show “You Quiz on the Block."
Gates arrived in Korea on Aug. 20, marking his first visit to the country in three years. Soon after, reports surfaced that he had participated in a recording of “You Quiz on the Block,” and the production team heightened anticipation by posting a behind-the-scenes photo with the caption, “Can’t believe this day has come … filming with this special guest!”
Bill Gates / Courtesy of tvN
However, after the post went public, a wave of malicious comments quickly followed. Many online users criticized Gates, leaving comments such as “Stop talking about vaccines” and attacking him over his role in global vaccination campaigns. Some also directed hostility toward Yoo, demanding he publicly prove his own vaccination status.
Yoo faced a similar backlash in 2022, when former President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared on the show, sparking political controversy and drawing criticism from far-right online communities that scrutinized Yoo’s facial expressions and demeanor during the episode.
At the same time, many commenters have defended both Gates and Yoo, arguing that the criticism has gone too far. Others dismissed the so-called “vaccine conspiracy theories” as baseless and criticized the spread of misinformation.
Gates has long been a target of conspiracy theorists, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. False claims circulated widely online, alleging that he intended to implant microchips in people through vaccines. Despite Gates publicly clarifying in interviews that none of the COVID-19 conspiracy theories involving him are true, the theories continue to resurface, drawing unwanted attention to the program and its hosts.
This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.