Vulnerable to Eavesdropping at Overseas Diplomatic Missions... 116 out of 186 Locations Lack Eavesdropping Detection Systems

Democratic Party Rep. Kim Young-joo: "Security Systems Must Be Strengthened by Increasing Security-Related Forecasts"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] More than half of the 186 overseas diplomatic missions are vulnerable to eavesdropping, raising concerns that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies need to take active measures to strengthen eavesdropping security systems.

According to the "Status of Eavesdropping Systems Operation at Overseas Diplomatic Missions" data submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 6th to Kim Young-joo, a member of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee from the Democratic Party, more than half of the 186 overseas missions do not have eavesdropping detection systems or laser eavesdropping prevention systems installed.

Only 70 out of the total 186 overseas missions, or 38%, have eavesdropping detection systems that continuously detect unauthorized wireless signals. The number of missions equipped with laser eavesdropping prevention systems, which prevent eavesdropping from outside, was counted at 65 (35%).

The eavesdropping detection system is an active detection system installed in locations suspected of eavesdropping, capable of remotely detecting eavesdropping attempts at all times and enabling immediate response measures. The laser eavesdropping prevention system prevents eavesdropping technology that detects vibrations of objects such as window glass or indoor cabinets caused by sound waves from a distance using lasers.

Compared to the eavesdropping detection system and laser eavesdropping prevention system, the relatively low-cost electromagnetic wave shielding system was installed in all missions except for two temporary missions. The electromagnetic wave shielding system is a device that emits broadband electromagnetic noise to prevent information leakage caused by electromagnetic waves leaking from computer monitors or main units.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas mission operation guidelines stipulate that "in restricted and controlled areas of overseas missions, in addition to general facility security measures, measures to prevent X-ray vision, eavesdropping, and the throwing of destructive materials must be prepared, and electromagnetic wave shielding facilities must be installed."

Only one person was responsible for monitoring hundreds of eavesdropping systems installed at overseas missions worldwide and managing and analyzing the collected signals. Since 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assigned one specialized personnel to be in charge of eavesdropping control, detection, and analysis during working hours.

Assemblyman Kim Young-joo stated, "Since overseas missions handle highly sensitive information directly related to national security and national interests, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must actively work to strengthen eavesdropping security systems by uncovering hidden eavesdropping devices and eliminating various eavesdropping threats," adding, "The budget for security must be significantly expanded to promptly install eavesdropping prevention and detection systems in all missions to prevent leakage of important national secrets."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.