Has the South Korean Government Enhanced Security Measures Due to Hacking Threats?
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Synopsis
In response to alarming signs of hacking attempts on its administrative platform, the South Korean interior ministry has taken decisive action to enhance security. This comes amid rising concerns over cybersecurity threats targeting government entities and major corporations.
Key Takeaways
- Enhanced security measures implemented by the South Korean government.
- Indications of hacking attempts on the Onnara system.
- Proactive steps include additional authentication procedures.
- Potential vulnerabilities highlighted in the government public key infrastructure.
- Continuous rise in hacking attempts since 2017.
Seoul, Oct 17 (NationPress) The South Korean interior ministry announced on Friday that it has enhanced security protocols for its online government platforms after identifying indications of a breach in the government’s administrative system.
This action follows a report from Phrack, a cybersecurity publication, which indicated that South Korean government entities and corporations were likely the targets of cyber attacks.
According to the ministry, signs were confirmed in mid-July through the National Intelligence Service (NIS) that an unauthorized external computer accessed the Onnara system through the Government-Virtual Private Network (G-VPN).
The Onnara system serves as the government's digital workspace, overseeing official documents and managing internal processes.
In light of these findings, the ministry has implemented additional authentication measures for officials connecting to G-VPN for remote work.
Furthermore, it was revealed that the government public key infrastructure (GPKI) certificates of 650 officials were potentially compromised. These certificates are crucial for authentication by public officials.
While many of these certificates were expired, three valid certificates were canceled on August 13.
Authorities suspect that the leak of certificate information was due to negligence on the part of users.
The ministry is planning to replace the GPKI authentication system with a biometric system for public officials accessing the internal administrative system.
Phrack previously reported that the North Korean hacking group Kimsuky may be responsible for the attack.
Evidence of hacking attempts was also recorded in the interior and foreign ministries, military, prosecution services, as well as major corporations such as Kakao Corp., Naver Corp., KT Corp., and LG Uplus Corp.
Data released on October 5 indicated a steady increase in hacking attempts against the Constitutional Court since 2017, raising alarms over cybersecurity in public sector organizations.
According to information provided by the Constitutional Court, Representative Choo Mi-ae of the ruling Democratic Party highlighted that there have been approximately 1.16 million attempted cyberattacks on the court since 2017.
These attempts, all of which were detected and halted, amounted to 85,000 in 2017 but skyrocketed to 187,000 in 2024, as shown by the report.
During the January-August period of 2025, that figure was around 80,000.
"Cyber threats are on the rise. We must strengthen our vigilance and improve our security preparedness," stated Choo.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize the ongoing cybersecurity challenges facing our nation. The South Korean government's proactive measures to enhance security protocols are commendable. However, the rise in hacking attempts indicates a persistent threat that requires continuous vigilance and innovative solutions.
NationPress
17/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the South Korean government to enhance security measures?
The South Korean government strengthened security measures after detecting signs of hacking attempts on its administrative platform, prompting concerns about cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
What is the Onnara system?
The Onnara system is the government's digital platform for managing official documents and internal workflow.
How many hacking attempts have been reported since 2017?
Approximately 1.16 million cyberattack attempts against the Constitutional Court have been recorded since 2017.
What actions are being taken to improve security?
The ministry is implementing additional authentication measures and plans to transition to a biometric authentication system for public officials.
Which hacking group is suspected to be involved?
The North Korean hacking group Kimsuky has been reported as a potential perpetrator of the cyber attacks.
