North Korean cyber attack on cards, says defector
By Justin McCurry
5:30 AM Monday Apr 8, 2013
Regime's next move could be to break into US computer networks to steal
information and spread viruses, says one-time insider.
South Korea is bracing for a protracted standoff with the North that could
include at least one missile test-launch and a border skirmish.
North Korea attempted to heighten fears of military conflict when it told
embassies in its capital, Pyongyang, that it could not guarantee the safety
of their staff in the event of war.
In another sign that it is determined to increase the pressure, Pyongyang
extended a ban preventing South Korean officials from entering the Kaesong
industrial complex - which it operates jointly with the South - for another
day.
A government official in Seoul said there was no indication of an exodus of
foreign diplomats from the North, despite the warning.
The message to embassies came as US officials confirmed media reports that
North Korea had moved two medium-range missiles to its east coast. The
Musudan missiles, with a range of 3000km, are capable of striking South
Korea, Japan and US bases in the Pacific. Possible launches are expected to
be tests rather than targeted strikes, and may be timed to coincide with the
101st anniversary of the birth of North Korea's founder, Kim Il Sung, on
April 15.
In response, South Korea has sent Aegis destroyers equipped with advanced
radar systems to both of its coasts. The US had earlier said it would speed
up the deployment of missile defence systems to Guam, a US Pacific territory
whose military bases Pyongyang has identified as targets.
Experts and officials have dismissed Pyongyang's threats to launch nuclear
strikes against the US, given the rudimentary state of its weapons
capability. But it could cause widespread disruption with a cyber attack,
according to a defector who worked for the regime's 3000-member
cyber-warfare unit.
The regime's next move could be to break into US computer networks to steal
information and spread viruses, said Jang Se Yul, who defected to the South
in 2008. North Korea's hackers are suspected of being behind recent cyber
attacks that paralysed computer networks at several South Korean banks and
broadcasters.
"It would demonstrate that North Korea is a strong cyber power," Jang said.
"Their prime target is the US, and they've been preparing for something like
this for years, including when I was there in the 1990s. I can't say how
successful they would be, but it's a possibility."
Officials in Washington offered a measured response to confirmation that the
North had mounted two missiles on mobile launchers. "We've obviously seen
the reports that North Korea may be making preparations to launch a missile
and we're monitoring this situation closely," White House press secretary
Jay Carney said. "And we would not be surprised to see them take such an
action. It would fit their current pattern of bellicose, unhelpful and
unconstructive rhetoric and actions."
US attempts to lower the diplomatic temperature come after a prolonged
display of its naval and air power in the region during joint military
exercises with South Korea. Pyongyang has condemned the annual drills, which
run to the end of this month, as preparations for an invasion.
The North Korean media continued to describe the standoff in dramatic terms
at the weekend, accusing the US and South Korea of "waging madcap nuclear
war manoeuvres".
"This is aimed at igniting a nuclear war against it through a pre-emptive
strike," the Minju Joson, a government daily newspaper, said. "The
prevailing situation proves that a new war, a nuclear war, is imminent on
the peninsula."
The prospect of a North Korean missile test is causing concern in Japan,
which is easily within range. In Tokyo, Yoshihide Suga, a government
spokesman, said Japan was preparing for a "worst-case" scenario, and urged
China and Russia to play "significant roles" in defusing tensions.
The barrage of threats have failed to unnerve people in Seoul, just 54km
from the demilitarised zone - the strip of heavily guarded land that has
separated the two states since they agreed on a ceasefire, but not a peace
treaty, at the end of the 1950-53 Korean war. Streets were packed with cars
and shoppers as usual last weekend, despite rain and chilly weather.
The South Korean media have also been measured in their coverage. When North
Korea vowed last week to restart its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon, South
Korean newspapers devoted more space to government plans to grant tax breaks
to home buyers. On Naver, the country's most popular web portal, the most
read news item last week was about Ryu Hyun Jin, a South Korean baseball
pitcher who made his debut for the LA Dodgers.
Last week the South's new President, Park Geun Hye, said the military would
hit back hard if provoked. Her predecessor, Lee Myung-bak, was criticised
for his slow response to attacks in 2010 on a naval ship and island, in
which 50 people died.
An editorial in the Korea Times said those living in both the North and
South had reason to be vigilant.
"Not a single expert can say for sure what will be the unpredictable
regime's next move," the newspaper said.
"One thing seems certain, however: it will be Koreans, especially South
Koreans, who will have to shoulder the risks of any misjudgment or
miscalculation to be made by either Koreas."
Diplomatic manoeuvres
Foreign diplomats in North Korea appear to be staying put, ignoring a
warning by Pyongyang that they should consider evacuating amid soaring
nuclear tensions.
Pyongyang had informed embassies it could not guarantee their safety if a
conflict broke out as concerns grew that the isolated state was preparing a
missile launch. But most Governments made it clear they had no immediate
plans to withdraw personnel, some suggesting the advisory was a ruse.
Western tourists returning from organised tours in Pyongyang said the
situation appeared calm, with life going on as normal. "We're glad to be
back but we didn't feel frightened when we were there," said Tina Krabbe,
from Denmark.
Regent Holidays, a leading UK tour operator, reported a surge in interest in
trips to the hardline communist state. Gillian Leaning, Regent's marketing
manager, said there had been a 400 per cent increase in inquiries about
trips to North Korea. "Whether a country is in the news for good or bad
reasons, people become curious. North Korea is not somewhere that is usually
on the travel radar, but it is now. People want to see what it is like for
themselves." Regent Holidays usually sends about 200 visitors there each
year.
The United States Defence Department has delayed an intercontinental
ballistic missile test that had been planned for next week at an Air Force
base in California amid mounting tensions with North Korea. An official said
Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel decided to put off the long-planned Minuteman
3 test until some time next month because of concerns the launch could be
misinterpreted and exacerbate the Korean crisis.
- Observer
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