By Kim Hyo-jin
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) allegedly placed orders for hacking software with Italian tech firm Hacking Team (HT) just ahead of the general elections in April 2012 and the presidential election in December of that year.
This supports allegations that it might have used the tools to spy on citizens and politicians.
HT's emails, which were leaked online July 5, detailed the company's transactions with South Korea's 5163 Army Division (SKA), which purchased the programs through Nanatech. The title "5163 Army Division" was reportedly used by the NIS to disguise its overseas activities.
According to the leaked emails, HT accepted an order from Nanatech on March 14, 2012. An attached file reads that the HT agreed to sell 35 spyware kits as per the SKA request. This order was processed a month ahead of the 2012 general election.
They also showed that the NIS made an additional order in December 2012 ahead of the presidential election. In the December 6 email, titled "New Order," Nanatech asked HT the price of 30 kits, saying its customer (SKA) wants to use them for a month.
The inconsistencies between the NIS chief's explanation and the leaked emails have raised further suspicions.
NIS head Lee Byung-ho admitted Tuesday that the agency bought spyware that can hack into targets' PCs and smart phones, but only in January and July of 2012.
The agency only targeted North Korean spies and to analyze North Korea-related information, he stated.
Despite Lee's denial, suspicions remain that the NIS targeted ordinary people.
Wikileaks on Tuesday tweeted HT's internal emails, indicating that the NIS requested installation of spyware on a private person's device.
In the emails between HT officials on a Sept. 17 2013, the NIS was quoted as saying, "The target is a lawyer, not a technician."
An NIS official denied the allegation, saying "It doesn't have anything to do with us."
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| Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) speaks during a meeting of the party at the National Assembly, Thursday. Rep. Ahn was selected Wednesday to head the party's fact-finding panel to look into spying allegations surrounding the National Intelligence Service. / Yonhap |
This supports allegations that it might have used the tools to spy on citizens and politicians.
HT's emails, which were leaked online July 5, detailed the company's transactions with South Korea's 5163 Army Division (SKA), which purchased the programs through Nanatech. The title "5163 Army Division" was reportedly used by the NIS to disguise its overseas activities.
According to the leaked emails, HT accepted an order from Nanatech on March 14, 2012. An attached file reads that the HT agreed to sell 35 spyware kits as per the SKA request. This order was processed a month ahead of the 2012 general election.
They also showed that the NIS made an additional order in December 2012 ahead of the presidential election. In the December 6 email, titled "New Order," Nanatech asked HT the price of 30 kits, saying its customer (SKA) wants to use them for a month.
The inconsistencies between the NIS chief's explanation and the leaked emails have raised further suspicions.
NIS head Lee Byung-ho admitted Tuesday that the agency bought spyware that can hack into targets' PCs and smart phones, but only in January and July of 2012.
The agency only targeted North Korean spies and to analyze North Korea-related information, he stated.
Despite Lee's denial, suspicions remain that the NIS targeted ordinary people.
Wikileaks on Tuesday tweeted HT's internal emails, indicating that the NIS requested installation of spyware on a private person's device.
In the emails between HT officials on a Sept. 17 2013, the NIS was quoted as saying, "The target is a lawyer, not a technician."
An NIS official denied the allegation, saying "It doesn't have anything to do with us."
