(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — North Korea has reportedly conducted a series of cyberattacks against South Korea, aiming to acquire sensitive information about the latter’s key weapon systems.
According to South Korea’s ruling party, the People Power Party (PPP), the cyberattacks by the Pyongyang regime have successfully obtained sensitive data regarding South Korea’s main battle tank, the K2 Black Panther.
In addition, these cyberattacks also targeted South Korea’s SIGINT/ELINT (Signal Intelligence/Electronic Intelligence) aircraft operating along the border between the two countries.
Reports indicate that these cyberattacks by the North Korean regime could compromise South Korea’s intelligence monitoring and defense capabilities, as stated in an official release from the ruling party in South Korea.
According to the statement from the South Korean ruling party, North Korean cyber forces successfully accessed sensitive information related to South Korea’s SIGINT/ELINT aircraft, “Baekdu” and “Geumgang,” which are crucial platforms operating along the border.
The “Baekdu” and “Geumgang” ELINT/SIGINT aircraft are based on South Korea’s Hawker 800XP aircraft, which carry out Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions against North Korea’s military activities along the border.
These SIGINT/ELINT aircraft have been in service with the South Korean military for 20 years and are vital for monitoring the movements and activities of North Korean forces in the border area.
“The leak of information about our reconnaissance aircraft could provide North Korea with critical insights into how we conduct intelligence operations, thereby posing a security risk to us,” said Shin Seung-Ki, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA).
The K2 Black Panther main battle tank, developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Hyundai Rotem, is a critical asset for South Korea’s army, with 260 units currently in service.
An additional 150 units are being built for the South Korean army.
Equipped with a 120mm cannon, composite armor, and an active protection system (APS), the K2 Black Panther is a crucial asset for South Korea’s ground forces in confronting North Korea’s military.
South Korean media reports indicated that the ADD, responsible for developing the tank, was unaware of the North Korean cyberattack until a police report was filed.
This series of cyberattacks by North Korea poses a critical challenge to South Korea’s cybersecurity defense capabilities, as it involves attempts to steal sensitive data related to intelligence systems, communications, surveillance, and other technical elements essential to the country’s defense systems.
The South Korean ruling party expressed concerns about the increasing threat posed by North Korea’s cyberattacks aimed at stealing critical defense industry technology and called for enhanced cybersecurity defense measures. – DSA