March 4th – As North Korea looks to upgrade its semiconductor programs for weapon development purposes, several North Korean hacking groups appear to have infiltrated at least two different South Korean chip manufacturing entities.
The news follows an announcement by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, which warned that North Korea may attempt to stage provocations – in the form of cyber attacks or disinformation – ahead of April’s parliamentary elections.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) noted that South Korean firms were primary targets of North Korean hackers, calling for tougher security.
Past attacks
In December and again in February, North Korean hacking groups attacked the servers of two South Korean corporations, stealing product designs, blueprints and photographs of facility interiors.
“We believe that North Korea might possibly be preparing to produce its own semiconductors in the face of difficulties in procuring them due to sanctions,” said the NIS in a statement. North Korea’s other weapons programs may also contribute to demand.
Pyongyang denies involvement
While North Korea has always denied involvement in cyber crimes, the nation has been accused of netting hundreds of millions in profits from attacks.
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