[Exclusive] NOI launches investigation into unprecedented diplomatic network hack; Ministry of Foreign Affairs faces possible compulsory measures

[Financial News] The National Office of Investigation has launched a full-scale probe into the hacking of personal data belonging to current and former diplomats, which is believed to have continued for 10 months and exposed as many as 10,000 records. The move comes about six months after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs learned in February that the Korea National Diplomatic Academy online education system used by current and former diplomats had been hacked.
According to Financial News on the 29th, the National Office of Investigation has begun investigating the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others in connection with the unprecedented hacking of the diplomatic network, a key state network. The case is being handled by the Cyber Terror Investigation Unit under the NOI's Investigation Bureau.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs only belatedly reported the breach to the Personal Information Protection Commission on the 19th, more than five months after it became aware of the hack. A NOI official said, "The investigation began last week, immediately after the hacking was reported in the media, regardless of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' report to the PIPC."
After learning of the hack, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately report the case to law enforcement, drawing accusations that it tried to downplay the incident. Critics have said that over the 10 months from April last year to February this year, the system was hacked and the personal information of diplomats, as well as NIS white agents, was stolen in full.
In addition, the ministry came under fire for failing to brief the Office of National Security at the Blue House and others on the diplomatic network hack disaster for months. Wi Sung-lac, director of the Office of National Security, and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun reportedly did not receive an immediate report from working-level officials about the breach.
With the NOI now investigating, compulsory measures and raids on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korea National Diplomatic Academy could follow. Authorities are also expected to discuss forming a joint task force with the NIS, prosecutors, and others.
The opposition is calling 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," and added, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs delayed reporting to the minister for two months and is still offering only the excuse that technical analysis was needed." It also said the fact that the ministry failed to even recognize the damage for 10 months after the hack amounted to a collapse of the government's security system.

[email protected] Kim Kyung-soo Reporter