Cybersecurity facing growing threats by unknown forces like NK: defense minister

Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo leaves the National Assembly after attending a seminar, Monday. Yonhap

By Park Ji-won

Cybersecurity threats are growing following continuing attacks from unknown groups including one linked to North Korea, Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo said Friday.

“Cybersecurity threats are growing in cyberspace across the globe as attacks by North Korea and other unspecified forces continue,” Jeong said in a welcoming speech during a conference on military cybersecurity in Seoul.

Citing the fact that the U.S. has added three groups of hackers allegedly working for North Korea to its sanctions list, he said: “Those are known to be involved in the hacking of Sony Pictures in 2014, the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017 and foreign financial institutions.”

His remarks came after the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on Sept. 13 on Lazarus Group, Bluenoroff, and Andariel, the three North Korean hacker groups which allegedly conducted ransomware attacks and cyberattacks on international banks and customer information. The moves came amid a months-long stalemate in Pyongyang-Washington dialogue on denuclearization.

It is rare for him to openly mention the North's cybersecurity threats. Following its missile provocations, Jeong said the reclusive country should be considered an “enemy” if it keeps threatening South Korea.

He added that Seoul was also allegedly attacked by Pyongyang in 2016. “Including the attack on a personal computer of then Defense Minister Han Min-koo, the intranet was suspected of being attacked by North Koreans.”

Stressing that the military is making various efforts to strengthen the South's cybersecurity based on the understanding that it is a key element of military readiness in protecting people's lives and safety, he said joint efforts between the private sector, the administration and the military should be made to develop security policies and technology, as those attacks have become a threat to transnational and non-military areas.