Kim Seong-han, National Security Office Chief, Holds Cybersecurity Situation Review Meeting: "Thorough Preparedness Needed"

TF Formation and Meeting Plans Announced, Held Just One Day Later
Discussion on Legal and Institutional Improvements to Prevent Recurrence
Cybersecurity Secretary to Preside Over Regular Monthly Meetings Once or Twice

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Kim Seong-han, Director of the National Security Office, emphasized on the 18th regarding the Kakao outage incident, "When a serious disruption occurs in the information and communication network like this time, it can pose a tremendous threat to national security, so thorough preparation is necessary."

Director Kim made these remarks during a cyber security situation review meeting held by the Cybersecurity Task Force (TF) formed at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon, according to a written briefing by Lee Jae-myung, Deputy Spokesperson of the Presidential Office.

The Cybersecurity TF is composed of the Ministry of Science and ICT, the National Intelligence Service, the Ministry of National Defense, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the National Police Agency, the Defense Security Support Command, and the Cyber Operations Command.

This meeting was held just one day after the National Security Office announced it would form the Cybersecurity TF and hold the cyber security situation review meeting in response to the Kakao incident.

President Yoon had defined Kakao, used by the majority of the public, as a de facto national backbone communication network during a doorstepping (brief Q&A on the way to work) the previous day, and at the Chief Secretaries' meeting presided over by the President, he ordered to "pay special attention," which is interpreted as the National Security Office promptly convening the meeting without delay.

Deputy Spokesperson Lee explained regarding the meeting, "The focus of the meeting was to check the preparedness at the government-wide level in anticipation that similar digital disasters could escalate into national security threat situations."

Director Kim pointed out during the meeting that if companies neglect their natural responsibilities, it could escalate into national security risks, emphasizing, "In an era where 'the economy is security and security is the economy,' when a serious disruption occurs in the information and communication network like this time, it can pose a tremendous threat to national security, so thorough preparation is necessary."

In particular, the meeting discussed an emergency inspection plan to respond swiftly in crisis situations caused by fire, hacking incidents, or other emergencies not only in the national backbone communication network but also in major information and communication networks or facilities such as value-added communication networks.

They also discussed training plans to master the procedures and methods of recovery activities, as well as improvements to related laws and systems to prevent recurrence.

The Cybersecurity TF will, going forward, hold regular meetings once or twice a month at the working level with key related ministries under the chairmanship of the National Security Office Cybersecurity Secretary to establish concrete plans and prepare response measures.

Deputy Spokesperson Lee stated, "The National Security Office plans to continuously strengthen its response from a national security perspective regarding major information and communication networks directly connected to the lives of the people."

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