Yoon: "State-backed hacking groups pose security threats... International community must unite"

Yoon Attends International Cybercrime Response Symposium

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony of the 2024 International Cybercrime Response Symposium held on the 27th at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized on the 27th that "hacking organizations backed by states have reached a level that threatens national security," and stated, "The international community must unite to respond to cybercrime."

President Yoon made these remarks while attending the '2024 International Cybercrime Response Symposium' held at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.

In his congratulatory speech, President Yoon evaluated that as new technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) develop rapidly, it is becoming increasingly difficult to combat cybercrime, and that hacking organizations backed by states are conducting cyberattacks that threaten not only individuals and companies but also national security.

The hacking organizations backed by states are interpreted as targeting North Korea.

President Yoon said that to respond offensively to such cyber security threats, he announced the 'National Cyber Security Strategy' last February. Based on this, he explained plans to cultivate elite personnel and accelerate the development of cybersecurity technologies.

He also emphasized the need for international solidarity and cooperation for cyber security at the Camp David Korea-US-Japan summit last August and the NATO summit this July, stating that the international community must join forces to respond more effectively to cybercrime.

Furthermore, President Yoon promised to continue providing necessary support and attention so that AI digital technology can expand human freedom and welfare, and that future generations can enjoy the benefits of this innovation.

On the same day, President Yoon visited the K-Science and Public Safety Exhibition Hall, where he observed the process of restoring damaged digital devices for forensic work and a demonstration of a system that analyzes abnormal behavior of children in CCTV footage using AI technology, and praised the efforts of the police.

This symposium is an international event hosted annually by the National Police Agency, serving as a platform for law enforcement agencies worldwide to strengthen international cooperation and enhance cybercrime response capabilities through collaboration with private experts. This year marks the 25th symposium, and it is the first time a sitting president has attended.

The opening ceremony was attended by global IT companies, major international organizations such as the United Nations, Interpol, Europol, ASEANAPOL, and the Council of Europe, as well as diplomatic envoys from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan. From the government and the presidential office, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, National Police Agency Commissioner General Cho Ji-ho, Cyber Special Advisor Lim Jong-in, and Deputy Director of the National Security Office Wang Yoon-jong were present.

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