S. Korea's classified information withdrawn via hacking: official

SEOUL, Oct. 17 (Yonhap) -- Classified information on dangerous chemicals was
stolen by hackers who broke into the South Korean army computer network in a move
that could have been orchestrated by North Korea, government officials here said
Saturday.
The Chemicals Accident Response Information System, used by 589 South Korean
government agencies including fire and police stations, was accessed by hackers
on March 5. Hackers appear to have broken into the system using the ID of a South
Korean army officer whose personal computer was infected by a virus, according to
officials.
"We believe the hacker tapped into the system using the ID, withdrawing
classified information of 1,350 dangerous chemicals," an army official said,
requesting anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media on the issue.
"The government believes North Korea could be behind the hacking. We are
continuing our investigation."
The revelation comes less than three months after cyber attacks severely slowed
or disrupted dozens of South Korean government and business websites, including
those of the presidential office and ministries of defense and foreign affairs.
Rumors were rampant then that North Korean hackers orchestrated the attacks,
although they have yet to be substantiated.
"We are trying to find out exactly how much information has been withdrawn,"
another unnamed official at Seoul's environment ministry said, adding the
government has asked organizations dealing with the chemicals to tighten
security.
Unnamed intelligence sources in Seoul said in May that North Korea operates a
cyber warfare unit that seeks to disrupt South Korean and U.S. military networks
and visits U.S. military sites more frequently than any other country.
South Korea and the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding on April 30 to
bolster cooperation in fighting cyber terrorism against their defense networks.
The U.S. maintains 28,500 troops in the South as a deterrent against North Korea.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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