NIS Endus Intention Of North Korea To Carry Out Cyberattacks On South Korea Curi Information Top Secret Military

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JAKARTA - Next year, North Korea is predicted to increasingly carry out cyber attacks on South Korea to steal information about advanced technology, such as nuclear power and space programs.

North Korean hacker groups are likely to focus on the theft of South Korean technology linked to nuclear plants, chips, and the defense industry. This includes gathering information about South Korean and US policies in North Korea.

" Marking the third year under a five-year economic development plan in 2023, North Korea is expected to be determined to steal key technology, and gather diplomatic and security intelligence in an effort to meet its policy goals," the National Intelligence Service (NIS) report said as seen by Yonhap News, Thursday, December 22.

North Korea has stepped up cyber threats and other online attacks in South Korea after previous nuclear tests in protest over international sanctions against its nuclear and missile programs.

The agency's assessment comes amid speculation that North Korea may resume its seventh nuclear test in the near future.

NIS also said North Korea is likely to engage in more cybercrimes involving cryptocurrency theft next year.

North Korea is expected to have stolen 1.5 trillion won worth of cryptocurrency assets (US$1.2 billion) globally since 2017, including around 800 billion won this year alone, he added.

North Korea is suspected of being involved in malicious cyber activity, including the theft of cryptocurrencies, in an effort to help fund its nuclear and missile programs.