NIS: "Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute Exposed to Suspected North Korean Hacking Attack for 12 Days"

"Kim Jong-un Loses 10~20kg, Seems No Health Issues"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute was exposed to a hacking attack presumed to be carried out by North Korea for 12 days. Intelligence authorities assessed that the health condition of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, who has recently lost weight, appears to be without issues.

The National Assembly Intelligence Committee held a plenary meeting on the 8th, where Park Ji-won, the Director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), attended and gave a report. Kim Byung-gi of the Democratic Party and Ha Tae-kyung of the People Power Party, both secretaries of the Intelligence Committee, stated in a briefing, "On the 1st of last month, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute reported the damage, and (the NIS) is conducting an investigation," adding, "Based on the hacking methods, it is presumed to be a hacking organization linked to North Korea," and "It was exposed to North Korea for about 12 days."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, regarding the hacking damage, the NIS reported to the Intelligence Committee that "sensitive information was not leaked." Concerning the hacking damage to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), they also stated, "The hacking entity is a North Korea-linked hacking organization," and "It is under investigation how many days it was exposed." The NIS did not request the relevant institutions to change passwords, and it is understood that the incident occurred because this was not implemented.

Additionally, the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute were also reportedly subjected to hacking attacks, resulting in partial data leaks.

Regarding Chairman Kim's health, it was reported, "He has recently lost 10 to 20 kg and is conducting normal governance activities," adding, "As evidence, he is presiding over meetings, and his activities and gait are also understood to be without problems."

Meanwhile, concerning media reports that Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun was involved in illegal surveillance during his tenure as the Blue House Public Relations Officer under the Lee Myung-bak administration, Representative Ha stated, "There was no content about illegal acts such as wiretapping or tailing," and "There was no content about oppression of figures opposing the Four Major Rivers Project related to the report. The content is considerably exaggerated and distorted."

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