N Korea hackers target joint US-S Korea war games: Seoul
South Korean police have leveled allegations against a suspected North Korean group of hackers, claiming it attempted to disrupt the upcoming huge joint war game between the military forces of Seoul and Washington, due to begin on Monday.
The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency alleged in a statement on Sunday that the hackers were believed to be linked to a North Korean group that researchers call Kimsuky, and they carried out their hack via emails to South Korean contractors working at the South Korea-US combined exercise war simulation center.
It further claimed that a joint investigation by the South Korean police agency and the US military had found that the IP address used in the latest attack targeting the war simulation center of the allies' joint military drills matched the IP identified in a 2014 hack against South Korea’s nuclear reactor operator.
The statement added that military-related information was not stolen.
North Korea has previously denied any role in cyberattacks.
South Korea and the United States plan to kick off the annual 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield drills starting on Monday and lasting until the end of August.
The summer exercises aim to upgrade the joint forces’ ability to counter North Korea’s latest advancements in its nuclear and missile development programs.
North Korea views joint military exercises in the region as a provocation, repeatedly warning Seoul and Washington against such moves.
It sees the joint exercise as preparation and rehearsals by the US and South Korean forces for a future invasion of the country.
MG
