Government Says It Is Strengthening Security for Hacked Diplomatic Network, But Critics Call It Too Little, Too Late

[Financial News] Security upgrades are being carried out to prevent a repeat of the unprecedented hacking incident that targeted all diplomats in the country. MOFA said on the 28th that it is exploring various measures to prevent another breach.
From April last year to February this year, MOFA came under heavy criticism for failing to detect the theft of nearly 10,000 pieces of diplomatic information from the KNDA online education system over a 10-month period.
At a regular briefing that day, MOFA spokesperson Park Il said, "We will strengthen security inspections and real-time monitoring to take preemptive measures against security deficiencies and vulnerabilities."
MOFA said it will apply the latest security patches to security software and further strengthen system operations and network security. It also said it will provide technical consulting to security personnel when ministries carry out information technology projects.
Park explained, "We are also reviewing a plan to build new internet information systems at the National Information Resources Service and apply standardized infrastructure as well as security and control operating systems."
The source of the hacking attack remains unknown. MOFA said it is still reviewing all possibilities regarding the attacker. A North Korean link is also considered likely.
No public investigation by the police or other judicial authorities into MOFA has begun yet. MOFA filed a belated report with the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) on the 19th, more than five months after it became aware of the breach.
The Opposition called for punishment of those responsible and a public apology over the hacking of the personal information of all South Korean diplomats. The People Power Party criticized the Lee Jae Myung administration, saying, "No one is taking responsibility in the Lee Jae Myung administration," and added, "MOFA delayed reporting to the minister for two months and is still offering only the excuse that a technical analysis was needed."
It said the fact that MOFA failed to even realize the damage for as long as 10 months after the hacking began shows that the government's security system has effectively collapsed.
The People Power Party also accused President Lee Jae-myung of double standards, saying he had previously strongly rebuked companies that leaked personal data, stating that they should be prepared for the possibility of going under and that they must bear appropriate responsibility.
[email protected] Kim Kyung-soo Reporter