Korea to strengthen cybersecurity measures against hacking and disinformation

National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik announces the National Cybersecurity Basic Plan during a briefing at the presidential office in Seoul, Sept. 1. Yonhap

Korea will conduct offensive cyber defense operations to protect critical national infrastructure from hacking attacks and counter disinformation, the presidential office said Sunday.

The National Security Council (NSC) presented the National Basic Cybersecurity Plan, which was jointly drawn up by 14 government agencies, including the intelligence service, the police and the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Science and ICT, following the announcement of the cybersecurity strategy in February.

“We will provide deterrence against cyber activities and threat actors that undermine national security and interests through proactive and active defensive measures,” NSC adviser Shin Won-sik said at a briefing.

“We will establish a base to respond to disinformation that divides public opinion and causes social unrest in cyberspace,” he added.

To achieve this goal, Korea will work with countries that “share liberal democratic values” to coordinate cybersecurity responses and join international efforts to create norms for a safe and peaceful cyber domain, Shin said.

The plan also outlines measures to improve the cyber resilience of critical infrastructure and key communications systems, including the application of artificial intelligence and separation of national and public networks from the internet and other less sensitive networks to create a “multi-layered security system.”

South Korea has been trying to beef up its cybersecurity amid concerns over North Korea’s alleged theft of cryptocurrencies to fund its nuclear and missile programs and hacking of local defense contractors to steal military technology essential for major weapons systems. (Yonhap)