North Korea Suspected Of Blocking GPS Signals Along Borders

JAKARTA - The South Korean side stated that North Korea is allegedly launching an attempt to block GPS signals in a wider area along the border between the two countries. This statement was made by a military official on Saturday, adding that a series of disturbances were most likely related to North Korea's military exercises against drones.

North Korea's efforts to block GPS signals have been going on for eight consecutive days, from November 8 to 15, the official said, quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, November 16.

"Initially, the disturbance occurred in the Northwest Islands, but since last Thursday, the coverage of the blocking has spread to Gyeonggi Province and northern Gangwon Province," he explained.

After a similar attack took place around the northwestern border islands between May 29 and June 2, North Korea resumed efforts to block this signal recently.

When compared with previous blocking attacks this year that involved a stronger signal and appeared to be targeting South Korea, the GPS blocking carried out in November may be linked to North Korean military exercises in response to drones, the South Korean military said.

In June, South Korea raised the issue of repeated GPS blocking by North Korea with three relevant international agencies -- the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) -- to request appropriate steps to take in response to the provocation. North Korea is a member of IT, ICAO, and IMO.In response, ICAO adopted a decision that voiced serious concerns regarding the recent blocking of GPS navigation signals by North Korea, and called the country specific by name for the first time.