South Korean embassies and other diplomatic missions abroad are vulnerable to electronic eavesdropping due to the shortage of preventive devices, according to the Foreign Ministry.
In a recent report to Rep. Rhee Beum-kwan for the ongoing National Assembly audit of government agencies, the ministry said only 34 of the country's 167 diplomatic offices across the world are equipped with devices for blocking electronic eavesdropping. Those equipped with such devices include embassies in the U.S., Japan, Italy, Poland, and the U.N., it said.
Other diplomatic missions are exposed to possible leaks of confidential intelligence, although there have not yet been such cases, Rhee said.
An anti-bugging device costs about 8 million won ($6,600), and only 1 billion won would be needed to install them in the remaining 133 diplomatic missions, he pointed out.
"As diplomatic missions abroad hold various information directly related to the national interest and security, thorough measures are required for their protection," Rhee said. "There is a need for an increase in the relevant budget."