By Lee Min-hyung
A propaganda website affiliated with North Korea criticized South Korea’s spy agency Monday for a recent report that the North attempted to hack South Koreans’ smartphones.
According to the Uriminjokkiri site, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) has been spreading such rumors to increase anti-North Korean sentiment among South Koreans.
“South Korean authorities have routinely distorted the truth by spreading propaganda against North Korea. And the NIS is at the center of spreading the false rumor,” the website said.
The NIS said last week that the North had attempted cyber attacks against devices used by South Koreans. During a parliamentary report on Wednesday, the NIS claimed the North had recently attempted to hack South Koreans’ smartphones, targeting more than 20,000 devices.
The online article came amid rising antagonism among South Koreans over the North’s hacking attempt.
“It is not a coincidence that some local and foreign media denounced South Korea for fabricating the hacking attempt to justify its wrongdoings of breaking the reconciliatory mood between the two Koreas,” it added.
Inter-Korean relations have deteriorated after a group of North Korean defectors released anti-Pyongyang leaflets. Earlier last month, the North shot down leaflet balloons, and the South’s military fired back in retaliation.
The bilateral ties have since shown no signs of improvement, and the NIS’ recent report added to worries over worsening relations.
Amid the rising tensions, the North said Saturday it would not hold high-level talks with the South, which were originally scheduled for late October or early November.