S. Korean diplomatic offices abroad susceptible to bugging: ministry

SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korean embassies and other diplomatic missions abroad are vulnerable to electronic eavesdropping due to the shortage of preventive devices, according to the foreign ministry.

In a recent report to Rep. Rhee Beum-kwan for the ongoing parliamentary audit of
government agencies, the ministry said only 34 of the country's 167 diplomatic
offices across the world are equipped with devices for blocking electronic
eavesdropping. Those equipped with such devices include embassies in the U.S.,
Japan, Italy, Poland, and the U.N., it said.
Other diplomatic missions are exposed to possible leaks of confidential
intelligence, although there has not yet been such cases reported, Rhee said.
An anti-bugging device costs about 8 million won (US$6,600), and only one billion
won would be needed to install them in the remaining 133 diplomatic missions, he
pointed out.
"As diplomatic missions abroad hold various information directly related to the
national interest and security, thorough measures are required for their
protection," Rhee said. "There is a need for an increase in the relevant budget."
lcd@yna.co.kr
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